Ocular Melanoma in Captive White Tigers: First-hand Observations and the Case Against Selective Breeding
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Kaitlyn Murphy
Presenter(s): Kaitlyn Murphy
Mentors(s): Abbie Reade
The white tiger, a variant of Panthera tigris, is often bred in captivity because of its striking appearance. However, maintaining this rare recessive trait requires intense selective breeding, which leads to severe inbreeding depression and numerous physiological problems. During my clinical wildlife internship at Cango Wildlife Ranch in Oudtshoorn, South Africa, I observed a concerning pattern of malignant melanoma in the facility’s white tigers, mostly affecting the eye area, including the eyelids. This research explores how the lack of protective melanin in the skin and mucous membranes of the white tigers makes them especially vulnerable to UV-induced melanomas. Here, I present observations made during my internship with an analysis of the tumors’ pathophysiology. This poster highlights the serious and often fatal health consequences linked to the white tiger’s unique coloration. Ultimately, this work calls for an end to the deliberate breeding of white tigers, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing animal welfare and true conservation over public spectacle.