The Kurger National Park is known around the world for its wide variety of animal species, and the latest addition to the park is especially unique.
Wildlife photographer Lyle McCabe managed to capture an extremely rare white lion cub on camera while visiting the national park.
What makes this white lion stand out from other white lion cubs is the fact that it was born with a condition called leucism. Leucism is a condition in which an animal suffers from a partial loss of pigmentation, resulting in patchy or white skin, fur, or feathers. Albinism however, refers to the total absence of melanin.
In an interview with Caters News Agency, McCabe described his first interaction with the leucism cub, ‘I arrived at the spot and waited about 10 minutes before we saw movement in the thicket, and out came the mother with a tawny youngster in her mouth followed closely behind by the pale youngster.’
What a gorgeous like guy 💛
📷:
Lyle McCabe, #wildlifephotography
“I was absolutely mind blown with this sighting.”https://t.co/cPwq3orLTX#lion #whitelion #wildlife #wildgame #krugernationalpark #southafrica #lioncub pic.twitter.com/vhZoFsES5R— LiveLoveHunt® (@LiveLoveHunt) November 26, 2018
The fact that this little cub is the only one in the litter to have leucism, means there are risks that comes with having this condition. The white pigmentation will hinder its successes rate in blending in with both his surroundings and siblings. It could also hinder the lion’s ability to successfully hunt if he reaches the maturity in three to four years time.
‘He will not only make things hard on himself when it comes to hunting in his white coat, but there is also the chance that he may hinder his siblings chances of survival by giving their position away, either at the den sight or hunting alongside the rest of the pride.’ McCabe explained.
‘We are all hopeful that all of the cubs will make it past the critical two-year mark which will increase their percentage of survival greatly,’ he said.
Image credit: Twitter/@LiveLoveHunt
