Robert Granbeck was in the right place at the right time.
While amidst grass and scrubs, he spotted a lioness walking around with her cubs. But upon looking closer, he got to see something extremely rare.
One of the lion cubs had distinct white fur. It was a rare white lion cub!
The sighting is a truly rare event. While there are hundreds of white lions in captivity, there are only 13 left in the wild. That is why there are many going into captivity now, to try and preserve this amazing phenomenon (it was also believed until 2009 that white lions could not survive in the wild.)
Here’s a question you may be wondering – why is only one cub white, while the other cubs are not white?
This is because a lion being white is a rare color mutation.
White lions are not albinos. The white color is due to a recessive trait that derives from a less-severe mutation in the same gene that causes albinism. However, this gene is not the same gene that causes white tigers – this gene is distinct from that.
Typically, white lions vary from blond to near-white.
Based on the sight of this little guy, he seems to be more towards the near-white variety.
Even though the video is only one minute and 35 seconds, it is still such an amazing and precious sight to behold. Not only is it super adorable to watch the way the little lion cubs prance around, seeing a wild white lion is such a rarity, and in my opinion, an honor.
And the best part? The little white lion cub doesn’t seem to notice or care that he’s different. Despite being the odd color out, this little guy fits right in with his family.
Please SHARE this amazing video with your friends and family.
