Also, histo-pathological analysis of the eyes of both our brown eyed and blue-eyed white lions, conducted by Dr Gonnie Behr at Ampath laboratories, revealed a reduced, but not absent, melanin (pigmentation) concentration in the blue eyed individuals.ĭr Dalton isolated a white gene, which is a recessive gene for white lions and only expresses itself if this gene is inherited from both parents.
Research conducted by Dr Desire Dalton looked specifically at nuclear DNA sequencing of the Tyrocinase gene (responsible for albinism) but found that our white lions did not have this mutation. There was some suspicion that the white lions with blue eyes, pink noses, lips and pads could be albinos and that those with brown eyes, black lips, noses and pads could be leucistic - partial loss of pigmentation. Some have blue eyes, pink lips, noses and pads, others have brown eyes, black lips, noses and pads. Apart from the obvious differences between tawny lions and white ones, there are in fact subtle and interesting physical differences amongst the white lions themselves. In 2013/14 a Timbavati landowner, Dr Graeme Naylor, initiated a research project to establish what the white lions are all about genetically.
In fact, the white lions of the Timbavati are neither. Some say they’re albinos, others that they’re leucistic. Some people credit them with having mythical powers. Much has been written about the white lions. Whilst there are isolated reports from time to time of white lion sightings in the Kruger National Park and there are many white lions bred in captivity and semi- captivity both locally and abroad, the Timbavati Private Nature remains the only reserve in the world (as far as we know) where wild white lions occur regularly and naturally. Not surprisingly, the Timbavati lions are genetically most closely related to those of the Kruger National Park (rather than to Lions in Namibia and Botswana). This is a healthy state which is enhanced by the vast ranges available to lions in the Greater Kruger National Park open system. Genetic analysis of the Timbavati lions by Dr Desire Dalton and Susan Miller has indicated that our lion population has high genetic diversity and is not at all at risk of inbreeding. In practice 'inbreeding' or loss of genetic diversity may result in reduced survival, reproductive abnormalities, juvenile mortalities, physical deformities and reduced growth of populations. Therefore, a population which lacks genetic diversity is in great danger of not having the natural resources to survive environmental change. Genetic diversity provides the basis for adaptability through natural selection as environmental conditions change. In large, open wildlife systems, such as the Greater Kruger National Park, inbreeding is prevented through the expected social behaviour of lions - where young males leave their natural pride before they are old enough to challenge for pride tenure.Ĭonservation genetics involves conserving the maximum genetic diversity within a species, which will preserve their evolutionary potential, and their ability to cope in a changing environment. Inbreeding has been shown to affect reproductive success as well as increase susceptibility to disease. Genetic diversity is essential for survival of any species, yet there are indications that some reserves in South Africa are facing inbreeding issues, which reduces genetic diversity. BACKGROUND TO SOUTH AFRICAN LION DIVERSITYĪlthough South African lions share common ancestors, distinct populations have developed due to a decreases in range and increases in isolation of different lion populations.