Lucknow: Delhi zoo is set to greet a white tiger, which will soon arrive from the zoo in Lucknow, under an exchange programme between the two zoological parks. “One of the male two offsprings Jay and Vijay born to a white tigress at Lucknow zoo will be sent to Delhi zoo,” Director of Lucknow Zoo, Rajendra Kumar Singh said. The official said this exchange is common practice in a zoo and is done to maintain genetic variation and breeding of tigers. Cross-mating is ensured to protect tigers from diseases and to increase their immunity.

“We have a white tigress and her two male offspring in Lucknow Zoo. Since they can’t mate, a tiger will be sent to Delhi in exchange of a tigress which will become a mate to the remaining male tiger here,” Singh said. He also said permission of this exchange programme has been obtained from the central zoo authority.