Seeing a white tiger is rare, but witnessing two young tigers in a heated fight is even more extraordinary.
Wildlife photographer Cyril Leduc braved freezing conditions to capture a dramatic scene: two female white tigers battling for space under a tree in deep snow.
Leduc, who specializes in photographing big cats, took the photos at a big cat game reserve near Paris, France. The fierce struggle unfolded as the tigers rolled in the snow, growling and swatting at each other.
Leduc, 45, explained that the tigers were part of a litter of five born in June 2010. He added that white tigers are rarely seen in the wild due to their distinctive coloring, which makes hunting difficult. Today, they are primarily found in zoos and private reserves.
White tigers result from selective breeding programs, usually between Bengal and Siberian tigers.
Their white coats come from a rare double recessive gene, but this inbreeding often leads to health problems.
According to Leduc, many cubs are born with deformities; some are called “throwaway tigers” because of these defects.
Unfortunately, around 80% of white tiger cubs are stillborn, and those that survive often have shorter lifespans.
The fight in the snow was particularly unique. “It’s extremely rare to witness such a scene, especially in 30 centimeters of snow,” Leduc said. “I’m fortunate to have been there to capture it.”
He described how the two tigers were vying for shelter under a tree, and after about 10 minutes, their mother intervened and separated them.
Leucism, the genetic condition responsible for the tigers’ white fur and striking blue eyes, also causes health complications.
Many white tigers in captivity suffer from immune deficiencies, crossed eyes, and other physical and neurological issues.
Only one in 10,000 wild tigers are born with leucism, and according to the Indian Tiger Welfare Society, there are only 200 white tigers left in the world. Over the past century, only 12 sightings of white tigers have been reported in the wild in India.
These photos offer a glimpse of a rare fight between white tigers and a reminder of the challenges this species faces in captivity and the wild.
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