BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The Buenos Aires zoo is showing off four new white tiger cubs.
Zoo officials say the blue-eyed cubs with coats of black stripes on white were born there two months ago and bring the number at the zoo to nine. They say the cubs will soon be able to eat meat.
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White tigers, though gorgeous, are controversial. Some organizations even discourage the breeding of this captivating big cat.
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White Bengal tigers have a rare genetic anamoly and have always been extremely rare in the wild. Several hundred white tigers have been bred in zoos and wild animal parks around the world, though many conservationists say efforts should be focused on less inbred tiger varieties.
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White tiger cubs play in their enclosure at the Buenos Aires Zoo in Argentina, Thursday, March 21.
The U.S. Association of Zoos and Aquariums discourages the breeding of white tigers.
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Cleo, a female Bengal white tiger, stands with two of her four cubs.
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The blue-eyed breed is renowned for its beauty but extremely rare throughout the world.
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An adorable newborn white tiger cub growls.
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A zoo worker places a white tiger cub with his three siblings.
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Although just a cub for now, this white Bengal tiger will likely grow up to be a large intimidating feline.
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A white tiger cub peers from behind wood stumps.