Unique pictures capture the moment two rare white tigers fight it out in the snow in bid to get to shelter

Scrapping for warmth:

• Two young females were captured on camera batting each other with their paws fighting for space under a tree
• White tigers are extremely rare, with on 12 sightings of the big cat in their native India in the past 100 years 
• The pair were from a litter of five born in 2010 said photographer Cyril LeDuc who took the shots at a park near Paris
• White tigers owe their pale appearance to a condition called leucism which is exacerbated by breeding programmes 

By Jessica Ware For Mailonline

Published: 13 March 2016 

Getting to see white tigers is an increasingly rare occurrence  - and getting to see too youngsters fighting is even more unusual. But one patient photographer waited outside in the freezing weather to capture two female tigers scrapping in deep snow over space under a tree.  The amazing scene was caught on camera by wildlife photographer Cyril Leduc, at a specialist big cat game reserve near Paris, France.

All paws: Two young females were caught on camera fighting in fresh snow at a big cat game reserve outside of Paris

Back off, sister: The pair were part of a litter of five tigers born in 2010, according to the photographer who captured the moment, Cyril LeDuc

Nine lives: the females seemed fearless as they batted each other with their big paws, looking as if they were going in for the kill

The beautiful tigers looked like they were going in for the kill as they rolled in the chilly snow, snarling and batting at each other with their paws. Mr Leduc, 45, said: 

'The fight was between two female white tigers - from a small litter of five born in June 2010. The white tiger is a species that is not often found in nature - its colour and impressive morphology would not allow it to hunt live prey in nature, so they are now found only in zoos or private reserves. All white tigers seen today are a result of breeding programs at zoos around the world - often between Bengal and Siberian tigers.The white coat is a double recessive gene so most of the cubs born through this inbreeding have normal coloring but suffer the same defects such as crossed-eyes and deformities and are referred to in the trade as 'throw away tigers.'

Around 80 per cent of white tiger litters are stillborn while those who survive usually have a reduced life span.  

Snow fun: The mother apparently strode in and separated her daughters before the fight could escalate and they might end up hurting each other

Claws out: Mr LeDuc, 45, said he believed he was probably the only person who has had the chance to photograph white tigers fighting

'It is very rare to see two white tigers fight, especially in 30 centimeters of snow fighting with such intensity - for now, I'm probably the only one to have had the chance to photograph this event. I am very lucky to have been present at that time - like any good photo, patience always pays. The fight started because they both wanted to shelter under a dead tree - being an expert in big cats and predators, I noticed that something was going to happen by watching their attitudes. After 10 minutes their mother stepped in and forced them apart.'

Only one in every 10,000 wild tigers are born with leucism - a lack of pigment in the fur which creates the distinctive white and black coats, and blue eyes. The condition is linked with a series of health problems - exacerbated by intense breeding programs. Many born in captivity have immune deficiencies and are cross-eyed, while some are born with neurological issues, cleft palates, bulging eyes and other facial deformities.  

According to the Indian Tiger Welfare Society, there are only 200 white tigers left in the world. And in the last 100 years there have only been 12 reported sightings of the animal in the wild in India.  

Only one in every 10,000 wild tigers are born with leucism - a lack of pigment in the fur which creates the distinctive white and black coats, and blue eyes

A litter of four white tiger cubs snuggling up with four white lion cubs after they received their first medical check-up in a Lower-Saxony safari park. According to the Indian Tiger Welfare Society, there are only 200 white tigers left in the world 

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