China Purrs Over White Tiger Triplets

The mutation seldom occurs in the wild, but the zoo is home to 41 cats of this rare white variety

The blue-eyed rare triplet cubs were born nearly three months ago at the Yunnan Wildlife Zoo Photo Credit : AFP | FRED DUFOUR

Three playful white Bengal tiger cubs are charming visitors as they clamber around their enclosure at a zoo in China.

The rare, blue-eyed triplets were born nearly three months ago at the Yunnan Wildlife Zoo in Kunming, and made their public debut in early October.

Three playful white Bengal tiger cubs are charming visitors as they clamber around their enclosure at a zoo in China.

theyouthtimes, breeders, cubsBreeders help the new mother feed the cubs and assist with looking after them Photo Credit : AFP | FRED DUFOUR

The rare, blue-eyed triplets were born nearly three months ago at the Yunnan Wildlife Zoo in Kunming, and made their public debut in early October.

"The oldest one the largest is very naughty and has a real appetite. He's the naughtiest. The youngest is like a baby, she's gentle. She never wins when fighting for food," zookeeper Hao Li said.

theyouthtimes, zoo, home, rare variety, bengal tigerThe zoo is home to 41 of this rare variety of white Bengal tiger Photo Credit : AFP | FRED DUFOUR

The cubs' busy mother is getting a helping hand keeping her youngsters from getting hungry, with keepers always ready to step in with a bottle.

The tigers' white fur is a genetic variation of the common orange Bengal tiger.

theyouthtimes, bengal tiger, captivityThere are currently more than 2,500 Bengal tigers outside captivity Photo Credit : AFP | FRED DUFOUR

The mutation seldom occurs in the wild, but the zoo is home to 41 cats of this rare white variety.

There are currently more than 2,500 Bengal tigers outside captivity, most of them in India, according to conservation group World Wildlife Fund.

theyouthtimes, competition, new born, cubsA competition is being held to name the three newborn cubs Photo Credit : AFP | FRED DUFOUR

A competition is being held to name the three newborns, with final names chosen at the end of October.