Three white tiger cubs and their mother are becoming popular attractions here in southern India.

Visitors to the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park have increased since the cubs went on public display.

For many, it’s a rare chance to see this kind of animal up close.

[Sangeetha Phalani, Zoo Visitor]:
"This is a very amazing type. We have not seen it so far. I have not seen white tiger. I have just seen the normal tigers. First time I am seeing the white tiger."

White tigers get their coloring through an unusual genetic mutation.

And sometimes they're bred intentionally as exotic zoo animals, despite the risk of birth defects.

One Indian park official said until the animals grow up they'll remain together for the public to see.

[Rahul Pandey, Zoo Curator]:
"This is basically a very, very popular animal. These are very popular animals among people. So people love to see white tiger. So we can release at a time three to four white tigers at least for a period of one year, because once the male grows up it has to be separated from the female. For long time, we can show three animals, four animals, to the visitors and more number of animals means visitors, they appreciate more."

Overall, India's tiger population is in decline.

Conservationists estimate the country loses about 200-300 tigers a year, because of poaching and human development of their natural habitats.