In contrast to white tigers, for example, white lions originally occurred within a pure subspecies, namely the Kruger lion (Panthera leo krugeri). In white tigers, the white mutation is detrimental to wildlife, but the white lion can survive in areas with light river sand.
Currently two white lions live in Pakawi Park. Mona is from 2010 and comes from a park in South Africa. Owen is from 2013 and, like puma Tony, comes from the French ‘lion tamer’ Kid Bauer and has thus found his way from the circus world to an animal park.