Gandalf, who was born in the Netherlands, is six years old, the lioness is a year older. From a young age, they lived in a private kennel with Ivy Lapková Zelinová in Jindřichohradeck. She also kept American cougars or lynx on her property for several years. But her breeding permit expired and the animals lived in small spaces. State officials therefore banned her from breeding, and the animals are gradually placed elsewhere.
According to zoologists, the white lion Gandalf is very rare. His coloring is not caused by albinism, but by an extremely rare genetic mutation called leucism, which is the loss of all types of skin pigments, not just melanin.
“White lions live in the wild in only one place in the world, in the Timbavati region adjacent to the Kruger National Park in South Africa. According to the Global White Lion Protection Trust, there are less than twenty of them living in the wild,” said Evžen Korec, director of the Tábor Zoo. A slightly larger population survives in the world’s zoos, and now also in the South Bohemian one.
The raccoon is not allowed to breed in the EU, but the Tábor zoo got an exception
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The nurses transported Gandalf and the lioness to the Camp in special crates. Gandalf was a little nervous and didn’t really want to leave the crate, but finally he entered the new enclosure with a typical lion roar. “They will both be in the same enclosure with us, they are used to each other,” said Eva Nemravová, a nurse at the Tábor Zoo.
Photo: Filip Sušanka
Lioness Aisha from the forbidden breeding
Stellar beings
For centuries, African indigenous tribes have considered white lions as star beings, a gift from the gods. Scientists did not believe in their real existence for a long time and considered them part of the legends of African natives.
“The first described sighting of a white lion dates back to 1938, and it was even photographed for the first time in the 1970s. Because of their uniqueness, they were targeted by poachers. Since 1994, not a single white lion has been seen in the wild and they were considered extinct. That changed in 2006, when white lion cubs were born in the Timbavati Reserve, and in 2014 they also appeared for the first time in the neighboring Kruger National Park,” added Korec.
The director of the Tábor Zoo had a Cane Corso dog cloned
Science and schools
Gandalf the Rare White Lion: A Tale of Leucism and Legends
Oh, Gandalf! Not the grey-bearded wizard we all know, but a six-year-old white lion born in the Netherlands. If only he had a magic staff to make this situation a bit less mundane, eh? But alas, this isn’t Middle Earth; it’s a kennel in Jindřichohradeck where he’s lived with his fellow lioness—let’s call her Aisha, to keep things simple—who’s just a year older. They’ve been in the capable, albeit restrictive, hands of Ivy Lapková Zelinová, who apparently had a mini-kingdom of wild things including cougars and lynx. Unfortunately, her breeding permit expired, which feels a bit like that time you forgot to renew your gym membership, except the stakes are way higher—no more brews in Birmingham, but rather lion-sized consequences!
According to zoologists (those lovely folks who can identify a zebra at fifty paces), our feline friend Gandalf is no ordinary kitty. His snow-white fur doesn’t come from albinism, but from a genetic mutation called leucism. Basically, while you’re slogging through life wondering why you can’t seem to get a decent tan, Gandalf has a condition that means ALL his pigments are on a permanent holiday. It’s like his skin is saying, “You know what? Sunbathing? Not for me!”
Rare White Lions: The Star Beings
Now, where do I even start with white lions? They’re so rare that they make the Loch Ness Monster look like your average garden gnome. According to Evžen Korec, director of the Tábor Zoo (a place where I assume the fun never stops), there are fewer than twenty of these majestic creatures roaming free in the wilds of Timbavati near Kruger—an exclusive club if I ever saw one! And wouldn’t you know it, the rest of them are chilling out in zoos, including our very own South Bohemian digs.
Now, let’s put our hats of hypocrisy on. While the European Union has banned the breeding of raccoons—yes, raccoons; because obviously, they’re a much bigger problem than your local pub’s karaoke night—Táborski Zoo has received an exception. How’s that for an administrative loophole? It’s like saying, “No raccoons, but hey, bring on the white lions! They look great on a marketing brochure.” Talk about selective sensitivity!
Transporting Gandalf and Aisha: High Drama in Crates!
In a boatload of excitement last week, Gandalf and Aisha were whisked away to their new habitat in special crates. Now, I don’t know what these crates were like, but I can only imagine Gandalf, the noble beast, thinking, “This isn’t quite what I had in mind when I requested my personal chariot for a zoo outing!” Naturally, he was a bit hesitant; hey, who wouldn’t be? But eventually, he strutted out with the kind of roar that could make even the most discerning animal rights activists smile.
From Myth to Reality: The Legacy of White Lions
Did you know that for ages, indigenous African tribes have worshipped white lions as divine beings? Think about it—while you’re paying homage to your Spotify playlists, these folks were busy calling lions “star beings.” First sightings of these rare beauties were documented back in 1938 (thank you, James Cameron, for all your photogenic endeavors since 1970). But let’s not embellish—it wasn’t till 2006 that white lion cubs re-entered the game in the Timbavati Reserve. And let’s face it, they were as sighted as a Bigfoot at a coffee shop before that!
If you ever need proof that life has a pretty twisted sense of humor, consider the poaching problem: these majestic creatures were targets simply for being unique and beautiful. Can you imagine? “Hey, let’s hunt the one lion that stands out like a sore thumb!”
Gandalf, a remarkable white lion originally born in the Netherlands, is currently six years old, while his companion lioness is a year older. Throughout their formative years, both animals resided in a private kennel owned by Ivy Lapková Zelinová in the picturesque town of Jindřichohradeck. Zelinová, known for her wildlife passion, also fostered American cougars and lynx on her property for several years. However, a lapse in her breeding permit eventually led to restrictions on her activities, resulting in these majestic creatures being confined to smaller spaces. In light of this situation, state officials made the difficult decision to terminate her breeding activities, prompting the gradual relocation of the animals to more suitable environments.
According to zoologists, the white lion Gandalf is classified as an extraordinary rarity in the animal kingdom. His unique white coloration stems not from albinism, as many might assume, but from an exceptionally rare genetic anomaly known as leucism, which results in the loss of all types of skin pigments, and not exclusively melanin.
“White lions inhabit the wild exclusively in one region globally, the Timbavati area adjacent to Kruger National Park in South Africa. The Global White Lion Protection Trust estimates that fewer than twenty of these majestic creatures are living in the wild today,” stated Evžen Korec, the director of Tábor Zoo. While a slightly more significant population exists in various zoos worldwide, Gandalf and his lioness have now found a new home in the South Bohemian region.
The raccoon is not allowed to breed in the EU, but the Tábor zoo got an exception
The dedicated nursing staff carefully transported Gandalf and his companion lioness to their new habitat in specialized crates designed for their safety. Initially, Gandalf exhibited signs of nervousness and hesitated to leave the confines of his crate, but ultimately he made his grand entrance into the new enclosure with an impressive and resounding lion roar. “They will both be in the same enclosure with us, as they are already accustomed to each other’s presence,” explained Eva Nemravová, a dedicated nurse at the Tábor Zoo.
Stellar beings
For centuries, indigenous tribes throughout Africa have revered white lions, referring to them as star beings and perceiving them as divine gifts from the gods. Scientists were initially skeptical of their existence, dismissing them as mere figments of native folklore.
“The first documented sighting of a white lion dates back to 1938, with the first photograph emerging in the 1970s. Due to their distinctiveness, they became prime targets for poachers. Until 1994, the white lion was considered extinct in the wild. This perception dramatically changed in 2006 when white lion cubs were born in the Timbavati Reserve, and subsequently, they reemerged in 2014 within the adjacent Kruger National Park,” added Korec.
The director of the Tábor Zoo had a Cane Corso dog cloned
Science and schools
The European Union has placed a ban on the breeding of many exotic animals, including raccoons, the Tábor Zoo has managed to secure an exception for white lions, acknowledging the species’ rarity and the significance of preserving their lineage. These majestic animals, while beautiful, have also become victims of poaching and illegal hunting due to their distinctive appearance, further complicating their conservation efforts.
Gandalf’s arrival at the zoo marks a significant moment not just for him and Aisha, but for conservationists and wildlife lovers everywhere. As they settle into their new home, their stories will serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between human actions and wildlife preservation. The hope is that with the right care and attention at the Tábor Zoo, Gandalf and Aisha can thrive and maybe even inspire future generations to appreciate and protect the wonders of the natural world.
As for Gandalf, perhaps he won’t need magic to win over the hearts of those who come to visit. His royal demeanor and striking presence alone may weave a spell that captivates the imagination and prompts visitors to reflect on the importance of wildlife conservation. It’s clear that Gandalf isn’t just another animal in a zoo; he’s a living testament to the resilience of nature and the ongoing struggle to protect our planet’s rarest beings. Here’s hoping he enjoys his new enclosure, the company of Aisha, and his newfound fame—together they can reign as symbols of nature’s beauty and fragility, captivating all with their grace and charm.
