Originally, the drawing of the White Tiger was going to be sketch research for a mural for my daughter, but as I created more drawings of these amazing animals, I wanted to take the drawing a step further and see what it would look like as an etched print. I would love to say that this tiger was one that I knew but sadly I had to find him on the internet. I have been fortunate enough to witness these majestic beasts in the flesh but only in a zoo.  Loro Parque, Tenerife have two white tigers but they were having a nap when I was there and only got to see a small bit of the top of their heads!

"White tiger"
Original Etched Print on Somerset Paper
(33x33cm)
£250.00

Further research of these animals highlighted issues that I was unaware of which I will share with you. The tiger is the largest in the cat family but the White Tiger is actually a genetic abnormality, they are rarely seen in the wild and are believed to be the product of genetic breading programs in various zoos. The existence of the White Tiger gives people false information about them being endangered, it is the Siberian and Bengal Tigers that are endangered, with their numbers dwindling it is down to zoos and conservation organisations to secure the future for these amazing animals.  Political unrest in their native territories effect the habitat for the animals and they are often hunted as being a nuisance to villagers as they are being forced onto farmland and causing havoc. Being aware of these mutations helps us understand that they shouldn't really be here but as they are there is huge debate as to whether they should be allowed to continue to be bred from, thus diluting the ever dwindling gene pool? I found an article, which is controversial but without seeing both sides of any story it is hard to get a true picture.. Why White Tigers Should Go Extinct.