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Little Cub Scouts Emerge

Tribune photo by MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER

Two 7-week-old white tiger cubs emerged from their den Tuesday morning making their official debut to an adoring public at Lowry Park Zoo.

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By KEITH MORELLI

kmorelli@tampatrib.com

Published: November 26, 2008

TAMPA - Oblivious to the "oohs" and "ahhs" echoing from the overhead gallery of spectators, two 7-week-old white tiger cubs emerged from their den Tuesday morning, their official debut to an adoring public.

The as-yet unnamed cubs, with white and chocolate-brown stripes, pink noses and ice-blue eyes, were born at the Lowry Park Zoo in October to Nikki and Yala, two grown white tigers who are "an established couple."

Though rambunctious and adorable, the cubs didn't garner much favor among some conservationists, who maintain that the breeding of captive white tigers is leading to inbreeding and thus a weakened species.

They charge that zoos breed white tigers indiscriminately to draw larger crowds.

Ron Tilson, conservation director for Minnesota Zoo, said Tuesday that no one should breed white tigers.

"There are zoos that comply with us," said Tilson, who oversees the Tiger Species Survival Plan, "and there are other zoos that don't work with us. They do what they care to do in terms of the pursuit of their own self-interests. Lowry Park is one of those zoos."

Zoos that breed rare animals typically use the Species Survival Plan, guidelines established by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to ensure breeding programs produce healthy populations in captivity. Tilson developed the Tiger Species Survival Plan.

Chris Massaro, assistant curator for Lowry Park's Asian Gardens, defended the breeding program.

"We are an accredited zoo," he said. "Our breeding programs are taken seriously. We make sure all the genetics are good."

On Tuesday, the Lowry Park Zoo cubs were venturing out for short periods to explore the exhibit. They came out of the den behind their mother.

Since being born Oct. 4, the cubs have more than quadrupled in size, growing from about 3 pounds to 14 pounds.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

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