Jason Turner is a Lion Ecologist & Scientific Advisor for the Global White Lion Protection Trust (WLT) operating in the greater Timbavati bush region of South Africa. To find out more about the Trust visit their website here: www.whitelions.org.
What is your personal role in the Global White Lion Protection Trust (WLT)? How did you become involved?
I am the lion ecologist for the WLT, heading-up the scientific aspects of the white lion reintroduction project. Whilst completing an M.Sc degree focused on the hunting behaviour of the lion prides in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, I met the founder of the WLT, Linda Tucker. At the time, Linda was completing her book Mystery of the White Lions, and I was impressed with her commitment to returning white lions to the wild within their natural distribution range. I joined the WLT in the year 2002.
What exactly is a white lion and what makes them such a rarity in the Felidae family?
- White lions occurred naturally in the Timbavati and central / southern Kruger National Park between 1938 and 1994, according to recorded history. There are therefore presently no white lions in the wild in their natural distribution range.
- White lions are a genetic rarity or regional polymorphism of the African lion (Panthera leo), that occurred naturally in one region only on the globe, the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve (with a few sightings in the neighbouring southern and central Kruger National Park). They are not albinos, but the result of leucism, a rare change in the genetic coding that determines hair colour. The white lion gene is a recessive gene, as is blue eye-colour in humans, and is similarly inherited according to Mendel’s principles of gene inheritance.
- White lions are not classified as a subspecies of Panthera leo, and as such are not protected in the wild or in captivity. The lack of objectivity in lion classification means that there is no legislation protecting lions in certain regions, eg. similar to the white lion, the population of lions living in west and central Africa could possibly be characterized as ‘critically endangered’; however, because their status as a separate lion subspecies (P. l. senegalensis) is unclear, the situation has not been officially recognized (Nowell & Jackson 1996; Bauer & Van Der Merwe 2002; Chardonnet 2002). Furthermore, in terms of classification, the lions of the Sabie Sands region (Greater KNP) have been recognized as 1 of 4 uniquely defined lion groups in Africa (Dubach et al. 2005); the Timbavati and central / southern Kruger Park generally speaking has a similar geography, vegetation, geology, fauna and flora, and history to the Sabie Sands, and the lions in this region would most probably fall in the same lion group. This lion group could therefore then be given a unique protective status due to the unique occurrence of the white lion.
In their natural environment how difficult would it have been for a white lion to survive into adult hood, and what would have happened to white lions if they had not been completely removed over a decade ago?
Having studied the tawny lion prides in the Timbavati for 6 years, and now the WLT’s founder pride of white lions for the past 3 years, I have no doubt that in the absence of human interference, white lions would have survived into adulthood and the frequency of occurrence would have continued to increase. According to Robinson & De Vos (1981) there were 12 births of white lions to 9 different lion prides in the Timbavati and southern Kruger National Park between 1975 and 1980. The artificial removal of white lions from Timbavati to zoos (McBride 1982) and breeding camps (referred to in Tucker 2001), and the lion culling in central and southern Kruger Park in the 1970’s (depleted the gene pool) (Mills, Biggs & Whyte 1995) changed the history of white lions within their natural distribution range.
According to documented records white lions were observed in the Timbavati between the years of 1938 to 1994, for more than 55 years. Eye-witness reports indicate that white lion individuals were capable hunters, and even dominant in their prides. They would of course have still been faced with the ‘normal’ challenges experienced by any lions in the wild – risks of (i) starvation, (ii) disease, (iii) conflict with other lions, (iv) infanticide (new adult male lions kill cubs that are not their own) and v) death through encounters with dangerous prey (such as buffalo or giraffe). Entire prides of white lions did not exist, but intermittent occurrences of white lions within tawny prides, at an increasing frequency. Recent evidence of the ability of white lions to survive has been shown by the WLT’s all-white lion group, which were hunting self-sufficiently less than 5 weeks after being introduced to free-roaming conditions in the primary reintroduction area. The conditions in the reintroduction area simulated that of the Timbavati itself in terms of available prey base, prey density and habitat conditions. Once integrated into a wild (normal coloured / tawny) lion pride within a large wildlife area, there is no reason why white lions should not survive into adulthood.
If the white lions were to be hunted to extinction is there the possibility that in future new white cubs could be born? Can any lion produce white offspring?
The chances are extremely slim of white lions occurring in their endemic region after they have been hunted to extinction. However, against great odds, new white cubs could be born in the area of their origin, since the gene still occurs within the lion population in the Timbavati region. This was evidenced by the birth of 2 sets of white cubs in 2006 from two different prides. Present circumstances, however, mean that the chances of survival of white lions / cubs in the Timbavati itself are very slim: (i) without actual white lion individuals occurring within the lion population, the chances of white lion cubs being born again in the short-term are very slight, and (ii) present reserve management practices mean that the chances of survival are even less. Unfortunately, none of the cubs (tawny or white) born in the Timbavati and Umbabat in 2006 survived, because one of the two dominant male lions (and the most likely father of the cubs) of both prides was trophy hunted, and the likelihood is very high that the cubs were killed through infanticide.
Only lions that are white or are carrying the rare white lion gene can produce white offspring. Both parents need to be carrying the gene to ensure a chance that some of the offspring will be white. According to Mendel’s principles of gene inheritance: (i) if both parents are tawny and are carrying the white gene there would be a 25% chance of having white cubs, (ii) if one parent is white and the other is tawny but carries the white gene, there is a 50% chance of white cubs, and (iii) if both parents are white, 100% of the offspring will be white.
Yourself and the White Lion Protection Trust (WLT) have been instrumental in establishing the Tsau! Research & Eco-educational Facility - tell us about its conception and objectives
The white lion is revered by many indigenous cultures, and particularly the Shangaan, who hold them as sacred (Tucker 2001). Through Linda Tucker’s primary research, the WLT is establishing the white lion as a national treasure and an important part of the heritage and culture of the Shangaan communities in the region. From a conservation point of view the white lion is being used by the WLT as an icon for protecting the environment: ‘in order to protect the apex predator (such as the white lion), we need to protect their prey, to protect their prey we need to protect the environment in which they live, and the environment can only be protected by ‘protecting’ (including) the local communities associated with that environment’. The Tsau! Research & Eco-educational Facility will include the existing white lion sanctuary, and a Cultural, Eco-educational, and Scientific Research Centre to be established in the near future. Tsau! will be the ‘vehicle’ for creating environmental and cultural awareness amongst local communities, school children, tourists, and the general public
What are the objectives of the WLT?
The objectives of the WLT are aligned with the conservation paradigm today – conservation through sustainable development, with particular emphasis on community participation, eco-education and cultural upliftment. In accordance with current strategies for lion conservation, the white lion reintroduction aims to contribute to the meta-population management approach that has already been implemented for lions in southern Africa (Nowell & Jackson 1996). As lions have become increasingly confined to protected areas, individuals are moved over large distances between protected areas (Barnett et al. 2006). The WLT also respects indigenous African principles of conservation, which were non-invasive and showed great respect and reverance for nature. In conserving the White Lions, the following are some of our key objectives:
- The reintroduction of white lions back in to the wild within their natural distribution range, and ensuring their long-term survival.
- Establish eco-partnerships with reputable wildlife reserves, as well as scientific and zoological institutions that have committed to assisting with the long-term survival and protection of white lions.
- The establishment of the Tsau! Research & Educational Facility, which will include a cultural, eco-educational, and scientific research centre.
- Eco-education of local communities.
- Facilitate the upliftment of local communities through selling of crafts, cultural-tourism, bush-thinning programs, and providing employment.
- Global awareness of the conservation, cultural, scientific, educational, eco-touristic and community value of the white lions.
- Global awareness of the value in conserving the environment and the local communities associated with that environment by using the white lions as an icon.
- Participation in drafting legislation which will: (i) ban unethical and ecologically irresponsible lion hunting (canned hunting), and (ii) protect the unique white lion on a local, national and international level by having them listed according as a critically endangered variant / regional polymorphism of the African lion Panthera leo (CITES), and having white lions listed on the Schedule for Threatened and Protected Animals of National Importance.
How is it funded? And, how can people help to finance it?
The sustainability of any project is vital to its effectiveness and longevity. The WLT sustains itself in a number of ways: (i) self-generation of income - such as the scientific internship program, funds raised through membership and sales of Mystery of the White Lions (Tucker 2001) etc, presentations given upon request (ii) donors – individuals who believe in the projects’ goals and generously donate funds, (iii) fund-raising events, (iv) corporate sponsors – responsible companies or entities such as Hewlett Packard, Dunlop and Innovation Auto that provide their services or products to the WLT in exchange for exposure, and (v) the Days of Freedom Program – individuals or entities who sponsor a day, week, month or year of freedom for one or more of the founder white lions.
The WLT welcomes and greatly appreciates donations and private or corporate sponsorship to help finance the work it does.
How are donations spent - what are the running costs of both the WLT and Tsau!?
Donations contribute towards the upkeep and maintenance of all aspects of the WLT project: (i) lion monitoring & research, (ii) anti-poaching and security patrols, (iii) farm & habitat management (maintaining roads, fences, camps, erosion control, bush-thinning), (iv) veterinary costs, (v) restocking with prey for the lions, (vi) acquisition of more land, (vii) upgrading of fencing, (viii) staffing and (ix) construction of the proposed Research & Eco-educational Facility.
How did the white lions come into your possession and what bureaucracy have you had to cut through in order to establish them as a pride at Tsau!?
Linda Tucker was notified of the birth of a white lioness of the highest genetic integrity at a lion breeding camp in the Free State. The lioness came from two separate bloodlines of tawny lions that were carrying the white gene and originated in the Timbavati itself. It was an incredibly arduous process, involving more than 4 years of legal wrangling and bureaucratic red tape before we got permission to introduce this lioness and her three cubs into their endemic Timbavati region. In my experience, it is relatively easy for captive breeders and canned hunters to get permits to hold lions (incl. white lions) in captivity, but a virtual impossibility to get permits for legitimate purposes.
In the early stages of the project, every step that was taken was a battle, with unscrupulous individuals wanting the white lions on their land for commercial rather than conservation reasons. Human politics and jealousy got in the way of conservation, with certain parties attempting to shut down the WLT’s reintroduction project. They made our efforts with regard to the white lions much more difficult by threatening to sue the conservation authorities (DEAT) if the required permits were granted to the WLT. Having established a solid working relationship with DEAT over the years, and through the incredible support of key individuals in positions of influence (such as MP Mninwa Mahlangu, Adv Chief Pathekile Holomisa, Dr Ian Player, and the Mayor of Limpopo Province), the WLT has been successful in achieving its goals.
How are white lions viewed by (i) conservationists, (ii) local people and (iii) hunters?
There are mixed views about white lions. While indigenous tribes regard them as sacred (see Linda Tucker’s book, Mystery of the White Lions), there is a lot of misinformation being put out by captive breeders mainly through ignorance, double standards, and hidden agendas. Amongst modern scientists, there are also mixed opinions. Sub-classification of species in general is controversial, and therefore many mainstream scientists today do not distinguish white lions (or in fact any lions from other African countries) from other lions, classifying them as Panthera leo. Irrespective of how one classifies the white lion, as with other endangered subpopulations of lion (such as in West Africa), white lions need to be protected – in their case as a critically endangered regional polymorphism of the African lion Panthera leo.
(i) Some conservationists state that white lions have “no conservation value”, because they result from a recessive gene and are therefore perceived to be ‘freaks of nature’. These individuals also maintain that white lions would never have persevered in the wild. Without knowing the frequency of occurrence of the rare gene in the Timbavati lion population, and in light of the artificial removals of white lions from the Timbavati there is no scientific proof that this would be the case. Since the unique colouring of white lions is the result of a recessive gene, like blue-eyed humans, it is tantamount to arguing that blue-eyed humans don’t have “value” and are ‘freaks of nature’. Globally, other conservationists and scientists like myself recognize that white lions, and other regional polymorphisms, occurred naturally in a particular region, where they were / are a unique contribution to the biodiversity of that region and were revered by the indigenous communities. Since white lions were artificially removed to zoos and breeding camps, they need to be returned to the system to let “Nature take its course”.
Timbavati and the Umbabat Private Nature Reserve do not distinguish white lions from other (tawny) lions, and because they still trophy hunt lions today (including pride males – Sunday Independent, May 28), the gene pool of this rare phenotype continues to be removed from its natural distribution range. The Timbavati did, however, make two attempts to return white lions to the wild in the late 1980’s and in 1994 (Annual General Meeting of the Joint Committee, October 1994 – unpublished report). The attempts failed in the absence of the successful reintroduction techniques that have since been developed. Importantly, this does indicate that the Timbavati actively wanted to reintroduce white lions but they failed to do so successfully.
(ii) The local Shangaan people, as well as numerous indigenous peoples from around the world, revere the white lion and regard them as an important symbol of change to, be protected at all costs (Tucker 2001).
(iii)‘Canned’ hunters (unethical and ecologically irresponsible) simply see the white lion as a commodity from which they can make huge sums of money by trading or hunting them (up to R1.65 million has been offered to hunt an adult white lion male). There is no attempt at an ethical and ecologically responsible approach to this form of “hunting”. Furthermore, these unscrupulous individuals have ‘farmed’ lions and white lions without any concern for genetic integrity or long-term conservation principles. It has made our task all the more difficult, because certain of these animals have been genetically impaired in some cases, through gross human mismanagement.
How does South Africa's policy on Canned hunting affect the future of white lions - trophy lions?
South Africa’s policy on canned hunting has so many loopholes that have allowed lions to be hunted whether captive or not, whilst drugged, from a vehicle, in small areas even cages, which is completely against the code of ethics for hunting. Since the white lion is currently classified as Panthera leo (the African lion), and therefore falls under CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species) Appendix II, the danger is that they can be hunted into extinction. The WLT therefore aims to have the white lion classified as an endangered variant or regional polymorphism of Panthera leo, and therefore have special protection.
If white lions are to be reintroduced into their natural endemic area of South Africa then surely canned hunting practices will have to change. Bearing in mind the large revenues created by trophy hunting how likely is this to happen, and what are you doing to influence policy change?
The government policy on canned hunting is currently under review and the National Norms & Standards for the management of Large Carnivores is due to be promulgated in February 2008. A panel of experts with representation from all interested and affected parties drafted the policy, however, the canned hunting industry has taken the government to court over the proposed policy, so it remains to be seen whether the government will ‘buckle under the pressure’ or not. There is also major pressure from the international community to ban canned hunting, since this malpractice has given the hunting industry in South Africa a bad name. I think the policy will regulate the industry to a certain extent, but because it is so difficult to police, the end-result remains to be seen. The hunting industry is therefore going to have to regulate itself. As regards the huge revenue that canned hunting generates, the reality is that only a fraction of the revenue raised goes back to the country, its people or conservation. The majority goes into the back pocket of a few individuals. The WLT has given significant input at both regional and parliamentary levels on the proposed policies to regulate canned hunting.
In order to ensure the long-term survival of the white lion, they will have to be listed for specific protection locally, provincially, nationally and ultimately internationally through the IUCN Red Data List, CITES and governmental policy.
Once the current white lions at Tsau! are released into the wild, other than their monitoring what will then be the objectives of the Trust?
The first steps of reintroduction are only the beginning of ensuring the long-term survival of white lions. As the saying goes “don’t put all your eggs in one basket’, and therefore the longer-term goal is to establish two separate subpopulations of white lions (integrated with tawny lions) within their natural distribution range. The WLT is working with international genetic specialists to ensure that the two subpopulations will be of completely different bloodlines and of the highest genetic integrity. If and when the hunting policies of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve change, wild-born, unimprinted white lions may return / be returned there. Please see answer to Q6 for detailed outline of the long-term objectives of the WLT.
Should the white lions be released into the wild, then they will no longer have the protection of the Tsau! site. How can one hope to achieve longevity for these animals once re established back into the wild?
The White Lion Trust (WLT) is committed not only to ensuring the white lions’ re-establishment in the wild but especially their long-term survival. The Trust will therefore always be dedicated to the protection of the white lions, in the same way that conservation bodies such as the Jane Goodall Institute or the Snow Leopard Trust continue to ensure the protection of these endangered species following reintroduction. The WLT’s reintroduction program is a world-1st and the research is therefore on-going, and in this regard I will be undertaking a PhD study on their reintroduction, adaptation to wild conditions and long-term survival.
In the ideal situation, future wild-born white lion offspring of the highest genetic integrity would be re-established within an existing pride/s in the Timbavati itself, where the white gene still exists within the population, and “Nature would take its course”. This would be challenging but possible, by using the boma-bonding technique described by Van Dyk (1997) and respecting the natural social organisation and pride structure. Unfortunately, due to the trophy hunting that exists in the region this is not an option at the present time. The white lions will therefore be integrated with wild tawny lions (some of which will be known gene-carriers) in a suitable wildlife area / s within their greater endemic range. As in any fenced wildlife reserve that has large predators (most especially lions), the predator-prey dynamics and genetic diversity of the lion population will be managed. The White Lion Reintroduction Protocol © was developed over 7 years and is based on successful lion reintroduction techniques and specialist advise from all fields: reintroduction and rehabilitation experts, ecologists, wildlife veterinarians, and habitat management specialists.
Unlike many other rare species breeding programs, for instance as at De Wildt, am I right in thinking that the captive breeding of white lions is almost an impossibility due to the unpredictability of the recessive gene?
No, captive breeding of white lions is unfortunately (or fortunately, depending how you look at it) not an impossibility. At captive breeding operations white lions are bred with other white lions or known gene-carriers, to guarantee all or some white offspring. Breeding white lions responsibly and without inbreeding is more difficult but not impossible, by managing the gene pool very carefully and ensuring new genes (especially tawny lions & tawny gene-carriers) are introduced regularly to increase the genetic diversity and integrity.
The white lions under your care, and those cubs born into the Timbavati region in 2006 seem like a metaphor for hope and change - do you see this as the start of a growing awareness of the rarity of these animals and how important it is, not just for South Africa but the world in general to have these wonderful lions roaming wild once again where they deserve to be.
The white lions being reintroduced by the WLT and those born in the Timbavati in 2006, have shown what can be achieved against all odds. These are the 1st white lions being returned to the wild within their natural distribution range after a 13 year ‘extinction’, so their successful release at Tsau! has already done so much to create awareness of the plight of the white lions. With more than 50 newspaper and magazine articles having been written about the project, and documentaries having aired in the UK, France, Italy, New Zeland, Australia, USA, Canada and South Africa, media exposure has been extensive. The preliminary results have already shattered many of the misperceptions about white lions:
- that white lions cannot hunt for themselves because they ‘lack camouflage’. In reality, the all-white lion pride were self-sufficient less than 5 weeks after release, and after 9 months their kill frequency was comparable to or higher that the lion prides I studied in the Timbavati itself, and
- that a captive born lioness will never adapt to hunting and surviving under free-roaming conditions. The WLT’s adult white lioness spent the first 4 years in captivity, however, once she was in her natural environment, she adapted with great ease to hunting for herself and three subadult offspring. The success to-date of the white lion reintroduction project is not only important to the plight of the white lions, but also offers hope for other critically endangered felids whose numbers are limited in the wild or only occur in captivity.
With such an unpredictable breeding pattern how can you hope to establish a large enough gene pool of white lions to ensure a continuing population in the wild?
In the short-term, by establishing two separate subpopulations of white lions (integrated with wild tawny lions) and maintaining the genetic flow by regularly introducing new genes (ideally known wild gene carriers, or else the ‘re-wilded’ offspring sourced from zoological institutions that have committed to ensure the genetic integrity of their lions). In the long-term, the white lion gene pool can be ensured by re-establishing white lions in an area where the gene exists in the lion population, in which case natural gene flow will take place.
Do you envisage in the future repatriating white lions from around the globe and reintegrating them within the natural environment?
Yes, to maximize genetic diversity the WLT has established partnerships with reputable zoological institutions that have gene carriers (and their future offspring) of genetic integrity. These institutions would follow strict protocols to avoid the habituation of the offspring to humans, and once at an appropriate age the cubs would go through a similar ‘re-wilding / rehabilitation’ process as the founder white lions.
What is your advice to people who really want to get involved with assisting the White Lion Trust and Tsau!?
The WLT welcomes any assistance that can be given, and there are a number of ways that people can get involved: (i) donations (‘Days of Freedom Program’), (ii) sponsorship (services or products that can be of assistance), and (iii) internship program (become part of the research team for 4 to 12 weeks).
Please see more about these opportunities at www.whitelions.org.
How do you see the future of white lions in the Timbavati region?
The white lions have a bright future ahead in the Timbavati region, based on the success of the initial reintroduction, the strategic partnerships that are in place, and the key support (local and international) that has been received at top government level, and continues to grow. Several well-known wildlife reserves throughout South Africa have approached the WLT as possible release sites for the white lions. Strategic partnerships are being considered within the endemic habitat of the white lions, based on the suitability of the site, the available prey base, and the objectives of the reserve management / owners.
Successful precedents are being followed where regional polymorphisms / variants in other countries are similarly revered by indigenous peoples and regarded as a valuable contribution to the biodiversity of the region to which they are endemic, and they are therefore protected by law such that > 150 000 ha of land has been set aside specifically for their protection.
The views expressed therein are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Safaritalk.
