Three white tigers, a rarity in the animal kingdom, were born in Cotia, in the metropolitan region of São Paulo.
The animals have leucism, a genetic mutation that affects melanin production. That’s why they have light fur with dark stripes, pink noses, and blue eyes. Not many like them exist in the wild, except in snowy places like the Arctic, “because they rely on camouflage,” explains biologist Katia Cassaro.
They were born weighing about 800 grams on average —much less than a human baby. Adults can reach around 250 kg.
The cubs play all day, says the woman who has cared for them since their birth on March 20, 2025. “Have you ever had a cat? They roll over each other, hide, attack. It’s just the same.”
After working for years at the Beto Carrero World zoo, Katia Cassaro moved to Animália. Several animals from the Santa Catarina park also moved there —including Indira and Radesh, the cubs’ parents.
The male was separated from the female days before she gave birth. They don’t share the same space. “Tigers are solitary in nature. If we had left the male with her, he definitely would have killed the cubs,” she said.
