White Lion Documentary "Return of the White Lion"

[Jyson]

Did anyone see the white lion documentary on Discovery this weekend? It was pretty good, this woman(I forgot her name) is trying to re-establish white lions(recessive genetic mutation) back in their native habitat and is trying to get the protected. There is apparently alot of controversy about it because alot of scientists are argueing that white lions should be the only species to be protect but all lions should. They also stated that by protecting just the white lions will cause a dramatic change in natural selection(people will hunt only tan lions, causing white lions to remain.) If you seen it what are your thoughts?

[blackcrystal22]

I think they should be protected, until there are a relatively good number. Then the hunting on both should be limited, giving a 1/6 ratio (in my mind) of white to tan lions.

Like they can be treated as part of the species, but not eliminated. I think they should be appreciated, but not treated as another species.

So basically, it should be avoided that they are wiped out, but not to reduce either coloration significantly.

[Jyson]

Exactly.

Another problem scientist brought up was that since the white lion is exinct in the wild, the only way to up their numbers was to do mass inbreeding. The team that is trying to save them isnt doing any inbreeding what so ever but scientists are still skeptical because by releasing these white lions, one may be introducing something else besides a white cat.

[SecurityStacey]

Honestly? They are the same species - wanting to increase the number of white lions is only for aesthetic reasons.

I mean - the lions don't care - actually considering it is recessive and given where they are it is actually probably detrimental to them to be white.

The species needs to be protected - not the nurturing of a recessive gene.

[blackcrystal22]

Honestly? They are the same species - wanting to increase the number of white lions is only for aesthetic reasons.

I mean - the lions don't care - actually considering it is recessive and given where they are it is actually probably detrimental to them to be white.

The species needs to be protected - not the nurturing of a recessive gene.

If they can somehow avoid issues with inbreeding and create a few numbers to release to the wild, I don't see anything wrong with the aesthetic reasons. It's only helping the general species in the long run.

[SecurityStacey]

If they can somehow avoid issues with inbreeding and create a few numbers to release to the wild, I don't see anything wrong with the aesthetic reasons. It's only helping the general species in the long run.

I don't have a problem with them releasing them, but it being a recessive gene and not really that helpful without human intervention it will probably die out again.

If they want to be bred in captivity and seen there - that is one thing but reintroducing them? Because of the color they have a huge disadvantage because they are highly visible - that isn't really a gene you want being passed on as cubs that are born in the wild all white are more likely to be killed at a young age because of their visibility.

So actually... I guess I do have a problem with them being produced for an aesthetic reason since it is a disadvantage to the lion.