8 zoos in India where one can spot the majestic white tigers

White tiger is a rare sight and there are grim chances of witnessing these majestic species in the wilderness. For those who don’t know, White tigers are not albino but are Royal Bengal Tigers that are born with a specific recessive gene. This gives them unique white fur and blue eyes.

There are only three or four national parks in India where white tigers live. However, one can spot these handsome creatures in select zoos across India.

In April 2024, Alipore Zoological Gardens in Kolkata expanded its tiger family with the addition of a white feline from Visakhapatnam. Similarly, zoological gardens in cities like Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mysuru and Bhubaneswar have a decent population of white tigers.

Let’s have a look at Indian zoos where you have the chance to spot these magnificent creatures:

Nandankanan Zoological Park is renowned for its White Tiger Safari, introduced on October 1, 1991. The park provides visitors with the unique opportunity to observe these majestic animals in their natural habitat. Notably, Nandankanan is the first zoo in India to feature a white tiger safari.

Officially known as Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysore Zoo is among the oldest zoos in India established in 1892 by Chamaraja Wodeyar X, then the King of Mysore. The zoo is known for its two beautiful white tigresses, namely Tara and Manya which are a major attraction.

Commonly known as Gorakhpur Zoo, Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Zoological Park is also home to a white tiger named Geeta. This magnificent animal attracts visitors with its striking appearance and graceful movements.

Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Katraj has a white tigress, Laxmi, which is its latest attraction. White tiger is among the fascinating attractions at Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Pune where visitors have the opportunity to witness the majestic beauty of these rare creatures up close.

Alipore Zoological Gardens is the oldest zoological park in India opened on 1 January 1876. As of now, the zoo is home to four white tigers which are the prime attraction for visitors.

Also known as Vandalur Zoo, Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Chennai is also home to white tigers. Visitors can explore the beauty of the zoo and watch these stunning predators in their enclosed habitats.

The National Zoological Park, commonly known as Delhi Zoo, is currently home to five white tigers. Last year, on August 24, the zoo celebrated the birth of three white tiger cubs, who were born after seven long years. They were carefully housed in a separate enclosure alongside their mother. But sadly one of the three cubs passed away in December of the same year, exhibiting signs of limping.

Nehru Zoological Park is among the largest zoos in India. The zoo is a natural habitat to a wide range of exotic animals, including white tigers. In the month of May 2024, a nine-year old white male tiger named Abhimanyu died from rheumatism (a condition that refers to arthritis). As per reports, the zoo has 10 white tigers.