Baby Liligers Pose for First Photo Shoot at Novosibirsk Zoo

In mid-May, ligress Zita, the pride of the Novosibirsk Zoo, gave birth to her second litter of offspring: three baby liligers. A month later, visitors to the zoo were able to see the cubs for the first time. Zita the ligress is the first hybrid of a Bengal tiger and an African lion to be born in a Russian zoo. Although it was believed that ligers cannot reproduce, Zita gave birth to a litter of cubs for the second time this spring. Their father is an African lion named Sam.

The three female cubs are still unsteady on their feet, but they are trying hard. They even try to run, but usually end up tripping over their own paws. Zookeepers say the baby liligers are in good health, developing normally, and gaining weight steadily.

So far, the cubs’ fur is patterned like that of a tiger, with spots all over their bodies and darker patches on their ears. The liligers’ lion heritage is evident in the sandy coloring of their fur.

Zita did not rear her first cub, named Kiara, herself because she had no milk. The cub was therefore taken away from her. This time, however, Zita is feeding all three liligers herself. Zookeepers say Zita is a perfect mother.

The cubs stay inside the shelter most of the time, and come out for just a short time each day. This time, they ventured outside when it was already evening.

Their father, Sam the lion, lives in a neighboring enclosure. Zita and Sam see each other all the time, and display mutual affection and tenderness.

During the walk, Zita licked her offspring, carried one of the cubs around the enclosure, and returned another one to the shelter several times. But the persistent liliger came back out time and again.

The entire walk around the enclosure lasted for about 40 minutes. The mother and her cubs then reentered the shelter and settled down for the night.