(9 Feb 2007)
1. Wide of zoo
2. Medium of three white tiger cubs
3. Close up of cub
4. Close up of virtually all-white cub, pull out to the three cubs
5. Close up of girl at zoo
6. Zoo keeper holding up cub and showing it to children
7. Close up of cub
8. Cubs walking
9. Set up shot of Buenos Aires Zoo Chief Veterinarian Miguel Rivolta
10. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Miguel Rivolta, Buenos Aires Zoo Chief Veterinarian:
" White is another type of Bengal tiger, the tiger we all know as being orange. It is a genetic alteration, which come from recessive genes that occur in nature every once in a while. Why is it so rare? Because it is an animal that cannot blend into its surroundings, it is hunted by other male tigers, animals and humans."
11. Close up of cub
12. Close up of virtually all-white cub
13. Wide of cub and mother
14. Medium of mother
STORYLINE:
Buenos Aires zoo presented to the public on Thursday three white Bengal tiger cubs that were born in late November (2006).
The triplets are three of six cubs born last year to tigers Conde and Bety.
The cubs had blue eyes, a pink nose and white fur covered with chocolate coloured stripes except one that was whiter that the others and hardly had any noticeable stripes.
White tigers are born to tigers who carry a particular gene.
According to Buenos Aires Zoo Chief Veterinarian Miguel Rivolta, the white Bengal tigers are a rare genetic alteration that surges from "recessive genes".
"White is another type of Bengal tiger, the tiger we all know as being orange. It is a genetic alteration, which come from recessive genes that occur in nature every once in a while," Rivolta said.
The breed is originally from Asia and is in danger of extinction.
Wild white tigers are very rare as their colour makes it very difficult for them to survive in the wild.
"It is an animal that cannot blend into its surroundings, it is hunted by other male tigers, animals and humans", said Rivolta.
The tiger cubs weigh between three (six pounds six ounces) and six kilos (13 pounds) and can grow to up to 250 kilos (39 stones).
Parents Conde and Bety were acquired by the zoo in 1997.
Keyword-animals wacky
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