Conservation

The primary aim of the Global White Lion Protection Trust (WLT http://www.whitelions.org/) is to re-establish White Lions in their natural distribution range, in the way they once occurred naturally and in strict accordance with current scientific methods.

The White Lions ancestral homeland is at the epicenter of one of the world’s most important natural game regions: KRUGER TO CANYON BIOSPHERE, declared by the United Nations as the ‘third largest biosphere region in the world’. As a unique contribution to the biodiversity of this region – and as iconic animal revered by the indigenous people here and around the globe – the White Lion must be protected for future generations.

Not Albino

The snow-White Lions of this region are not albinos (Cruikshank and Robinson 1997), but a genetic rarity of Panthera leo, which occurred naturally in this one location only on earth – the Timbavati region( at the centre of the Kruger to Canyon Biosphere). They are one of the rarest and most endangered animals in Africa. Born in this one place only –– they were artificially removed because of their beauty and rarity, and became technically extinct for nearly two decades before the WLT initiated a world-first reintroduction of White Lions to their unique endemic range, based on scientific techniques of social bonding White Lions with resident golden lions of the region. The reintroduction program is headed up by <b>specialist lion ecologist, Jason Turner,</b> who has successfully re-established two prides of high genetic integrity, hunting self-sufficiently in their natural endemic habitat. <b>Marah was the first White Lion to return to her natural and spiritual homelands</b> after nearly two decades of technical extinction, and these prides are her legacy.

Genetic Marker

To date, the genetic marker for the White Lions has not be established. The WLT has therefore embarked on ground-breaking research to identify this rare genetic code, in collaboration with international genetic specialists in Britain and the States. This research will be used to classify the White Lion as genetically distinct and therefore provides a necessary foundation to have the White Lions listed on CITES, the Schedule of Threatened and Protected Animals of National Importance and IUCN Red Data List.

Preserving Genetic Integrity

Trophy hunting still takes place in the White Lions’ natural distribution range and the captive breeding in canned hunting operations has put the genetic pool under duress. The WLT’s Scientific Research Centre has acquired key individual White Lions of the highest genetic integrity to participate in the genetic research and preservation program. The WLT initiated the White Lion Protection Plan™ , and presented this survival plan to the South African Parliament in February 2008. The outcome was extremely positive, with the Parliamentary Committee resolving to support the WLT’s conservation efforts. A copy of the parliamentary presentation is available on www.pmg.org.za.

Declare the White Lions a Protected Animal

After lion trophy hunting has reached an all-time record, however, WLT now urgently requires that South African declare the White Lions a protected animal, at least within their natural and spiritual homelands of the Timbavati Region. The White Lions are not only a national treasure, they are a global heritage. All conservation issues today are global issues. With many species, including many of the big cats, on the brink of extinction, urgent conservation measures need to be implemented to ensure their survival. This ground-breaking study will act as a precedent to assist related endeavours such as the challenges facing urgent ‘rewilding programs’ of other endangered cats.