Golden Tigers: The Terrible Truth Behind the Hype

A spotlight has found golden tigers in zoos in Thailand in recent months, attracting significant media attention and garnering thousands of likes and shares. Often referred to as “strawberry” or “tabby” tigers, these rare-looking tigers are being celebrated as something extraordinary. But what’s overlooked by the media, zoo promoters and the general public is the reality behind these creatures: their striking appearance comes at a great cost to their health and well-being – achieved through unrelenting inbreeding.

Known as “colour morphs” or mutants, these golden tigers’ rare appearance may seem appealing. But the truth is that they are far from natural. This manipulation of genetics causes immense suffering, and what unregulated zoos are doing is cruel, unethical and misleading.

The consequences of inbreeding

Inbreeding, particularly when used to create these colour morphs, rarely results in healthy animals. Among the more than 20 rescued tigers at Wildlife Friends Foundation of Thailand (WFFT), many exhibit health issues related to inbreeding.

Take Mee Mee, a five-year-old tiger with a cleft palate, cross-eyed vision and a leg shorter than the other. She requires her food to be chopped into small pieces so she can eat, and as she ages, her limp may lead to painful arthritis. Another rescued tiger, Pang, has an enlarged head and is also cross-eyed, a common trait among inbred tigers.

These deformities are not confined to just a few individuals. In fact, all white tigers are cross-eyed, says Tanya Erzinclioglu, the founder of the charity For Tigers, a charity responding to the welfare of captive tigers in Thailand through research, education and financial assistance. “It may not be obvious, and some look perfectly fine, but they are cross-eyed,” she explains. Their conditions are often ignored or unnoticed because they are kept in substandard conditions, isolated from the public eye.

If zookeepers and the public knew how “horribly inbred” they are – suffering hip dysplasia, spinal injuries, and other congenital defects – Erzinclioglu hopes they would not fall for the hype. “We only typically see the pretty ones, so likely there are many more severely deformed,” she warns.

Zoos and breeders often market these tigers as a rare species, but this is a misleading claim. As Tom Taylor, Chief Operations Officer at WFFT, points out, these tigers are not a new subspecies but rather a mutation caused by human intervention.

Inbreeding defies international standards

The American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) highlights that intentional breeding to produce abnormal colour morphs like golden or white tigers results in numerous health problems. These include both external and internal deformities, many of which are debilitating or even fatal. In fact, since 2011, the AZA has called for an end to this practice, as it serves no purpose for conservation or education, and only harms the animals involved.

As Taylor notes, tigers bred in captivity are unable to be released back into the wild, as they lack the necessary survival skills. Captive breeding in places like Thailand focuses on making money from tourists who are unaware of the suffering behind these animals’ creation. “We need to focus resources and funds on protecting tigers in the wild,” he says.

Adds Taylor, “It is time to phase out the commercial farming and breeding of tigers, including those in poorly regulated zoos, on a national and global scale. It is well known that breeding tigers in captivity offers little to no value to their wild cousins.”

A misleading narrative

Although breeders may argue that golden tigers occur in the wild, such as one spotted in India in early 2024, these mutations are a direct result of inbreeding and not a natural occurrence. The lack of genetic diversity in these populations is a worrying sign of the harm caused by captivity and unethical breeding practices.

As Erzinclioglu explains, these “mutations” are a sign that the population is not healthy or sustainable. In Thailand, hundreds of tiger cubs are bred each year in conditions that range from inadequate to horrific. These animals are often raised for the sole purpose of providing photo opportunities for tourists. They are kept in cramped cages, receive poor diets, and endure harmful interactions with both their caretakers and visitors.

The bottom line: More harm than good and change is essential

At the heart of the issue is the growing trend of breeding tigers for novelty, such as the creation of golden and white morphs. These animals are often presented as rare and special, but they are suffering due to the genetic manipulation.

Instead of celebrating these mutated creatures, we must call for an end to this practice and push for stronger animal welfare regulations. The breeding of tigers for colour morphs does not contribute to the preservation of the species.

It is time we shifted the focus from the spectacle of rare tigers in captivity to the urgent need to protect wild tigers in their natural habitats. Only then can we ensure a future for these majestic creatures.

If you are concerned about the welfare of captive tigers and want to help, do not visit venues that allow wild animal interactions and support organizations like WFFT, which work to rescue and rehabilitate animals from exploitation.