Four cubs accidentally crossbred by a female African lion and a male Siberian tiger were born at the Shanghai Safari Park last week. Unfortunately, none survived.
The two male and two female cubs' hair on their legs and necks resembled their mother's shallow yellow hair, but their faces and tails took after their tiger father. The front part of their bodies looked like that of a lion and the rear part took after a tiger.
According to the zoo keeper, the cubs' parents are about three years old and both are stars of the park's animal troupe. Huanhuan, the female lion, was in her mating season when the troupe was on a out-of-city tour. She chose Huihui, the male tiger, as her mate and quickly became pregnant.
The four dead cubs will be preserved as specimens and put on display.
Four cubs accidentally crossbred by a female African lion and a male Siberian tiger were born at the Shanghai Safari Park last week. Unfortunately, none survived.