Only a handful of white lions still live in the wild – here are 2 of them

White lions were hunted to functional extinction several decades ago but thanks to the concentrated efforts and reintroduction program of the Global White Lion Protection Trust, these beautiful predators are making a slow but encouraging comeback.
The 1970s saw white lions targeted specifically for their uniqueness: non-African organizations captured them for their own breeding programs (which is why there are hundreds of white lions in captivity today) and trophy hunters took down what was left in the wild.
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These amazing cats are not albinos, but instead carry a different genetic marker that gives them white coats and blue eyes. "The white lions are regarded as sacred animals throughout Africa," said Linda Tucker in a video on the Global White Lion Protection Trust website. "The Shangaan people believe they are sent by God to protect humanity at a time of crisis on Earth." Tucker is the founder of the Trust.
Black Bean Productions created an 8-minute documentary film about two of these rarities, now featured in National Geographic's Short Film Showcase. It's the first documented proof of white lions in Singita Kruger National Park for decades.
All lion cubs face a high mortality rate. Unfortunately, one of the cubs featured in the film has since died of natural causes, bringing the number of white lions known in the wild to 12.
"If we can't protect the King of Beasts, what hope is there for all the other kingdoms on Earth?" Tucker asks.
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(Note: Tucker is misidentified as "Linda Turner" in the Black Bean Productions video.)

There are only 13 white lions in the wildand two of them are in Singita Kruger National Park. See the whole story: http://on.natgeo.com/2bjNZAN #ShortFilmShowcase #WorldLionDay

Posted by National Geographic Magazine on Wednesday, August 10, 2016