Ligers and other hybrids

The only justification I can think of for cross-breeding is between sub-species when the gene pool is not sufficiently large to be viable on its own (eg between similar types of tiger).

I can't think of any justification of the cross-breeding between separate species such as tigers / lions.
 
i belive it is unacceptable to breed lions and tigers (or other species) 5to create hyrbids, i belive the hybrids already in existance shopuld be well looked after like any other animal and so the only reason why a zoo should hold these hyrbids is so they give them a good lofe till they die and can be replaced with real species.
 
On the other hand they bring in the crowds and cash to put towards other project such as conservation, they also have some educational value, genetics etc.

I have to say I dont agree with hybrids particularly not when it comes to interbreeding subspecies such as tigers, as these hybrids are almost impossible to keep track of. I am however glad there are still a few ligers around as they are one of the most magnificant animals I have ever seen and a picture simply does not do their enormity justice!

What zoos in the UK still display hybrids? I know Heythrop have a Liger, Colchester have some zebra x horse hybrids an of course a lot of safari parks have hybrid baboons etc.
 
Vulpes said:
I have to say I dont agree with hybrids particularly not when it comes to interbreeding subspecies such as tigers, as these hybrids are almost impossible to keep track of. I am however glad there are still a few ligers around as they are one of the most magnificant animals I have ever seen and a picture simply does not do their enormity justice!
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Thats a weird statement, atleast with Hybrids in subspecies they can still have a future.

Ligers and Tigons are infertile and therefore a "freak of nature" that would really never happen in the wild! Taking valuable space away which is needed to build a viable population of animals that have a future. They are impressive but something that should not happen. :mad:
 
I think only very bad husbandry can result in big cat hybrids and such a thing should not occured in respected facilities. Once it happened they should be treated like any other big cat except they should be phased out. They should not complicate any consevation of rare (sub)species.

BTW this Jazhara is the most impressive hybrid I have ever seen - melanistic jaglioness.
Bear Creek Sanctuary - Jaglions
 
Reading this thread it looks like the real question is whether the habrids should be culled like some not wanted lion cubs are. Or whether african lion cub or hybrid cub should be culled if it is one or another (exclude rarer big cat species). Because I think that they have not a place in modern zoo is an obvious answer for the original question.
 
they are amazing, i didnt realise any had been born recently, they are quite leopard like arent they! have you seen them in the flesh?
 
(No offence, Vulpes, but why did you start a new thread on ligers when there is already one going in this forum?)
 
Ara said:
(No offence, Vulpes, but why did you start a new thread on ligers when there is already one going in this forum?)
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That other thread hasn't been posted in for about 4 months ... I don't see a problem with starting a new thread.
 
MARK said:
Not in this day and age they dont no, all places should be for "real species" and not cross bred animals like Ligers and Tigons
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I feel the same way, and I think the same goes for white tigers and lions.
White tigers, ligers etc might look really impressive, but with the role of zoos in conservation and education nowadays, I don't think there's any point in keeping them.
 
I'm not sure I understand the point of this thread. Vulpes' question 'Was there a place in zoos for ligers and other hybrids' has turned into an appreciation for freaks of human nature. There can be only one use for hybrids in zoos and that would be to demonstrate in educational terms the effects of hybridisation between species. No zoo in history would have ever used a liger/tigon purely for this purpose.
 
Apologises I didnt see that other post. Ive only been on this forum a few days and havent managed to work my way through them all yet!

on the subject of white tigers lions etc I think that it is important to preserve these mutations as they carry rare alleles that are an important part of the genetic health of an overall population. A bit of research into genetics will give a better explanation. If they bring in the crowds and make money to be put towards more important conservation projects then I really dont see the harm in them.

Hybrids are amazing, no matter what anyone says. they may not have a place in the modern conservation centres but they are a very important part of zoo history and scientifically invaluable! This is not a hybrid appreciation thread but I wont deny I find them facinating!
 
Chester have 0.1.1 hybrid Flamingos, from a time when the sex ratios of both species were unbalanced.
 
The problem is that white tigers are not part of any particular subspecie they are hybrids. Maybe I'm missed something but aren't white lions just rare colour form?
 
exactly they are a rare genetic colour form hence a rare allel that must be preserved to ensure the genetic diversity within the overall population. The original white tiger was an indian or bengal tiger but you are quite rite there is def some siberian blood in a lot of them.
 
I think Ligers should only be bred for their skills in Magic. :D
 
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