LAHORE: Three rare white tigers were born at the Lahore Zoo after a gap of over 16 years.

According to Zoo DirectorShafqat Ali, the major reason behind no births in all these years in the white Bengal tigers was inbreeding. “However, we are happy to announce that the tigress gave birth to four cubs, out of four three survived,” he added.

Mr Ali said with the addition of three tiger cubs the total number of tigers at the zoo had reached 10, seven of them were white. He said the average lifespan of a Bengal tiger was 13 to 14 years. About the lions, he said, there were now 17 African lions at the zoo.

The zoo director said the zoo staff were taking all necessary measures to protect the animals and birds from the winter bite as the cold was increasing.

To a question, he said the zoo had sent the proposal to the Punjab Wildlife Management Board to increase the ticket price, adding, “We have suggested Rs100 for adults, instead of Rs40 and Rs50 for children, instead Rs20”. — Staff Reporter