A tigon cub – half tiger, half lion – was born at the at Shenzhen Safari, southern China, taking the world population for this unusual beast to a grand total of four. And half of them live in Canberra.


Nature's little accidents with a purr-fect appeal By ALISON REHN August 13, 2005 THEY shouldn't exist.But try telling that to zookeepers at the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra and in China. A tigon cub – half tiger, half lion – was born at the at Shenzhen Safari, southern China, taking the world population for this unusual beast to a grand total of four. And half of them live in Canberra. Brother and sister Aster and Tangier were born "accidentally" – in a circus. For the past five years, they have been serving out their retirement at the zoo and are among the zookeepers' favourites. The tigons, nearly 20 years old, are a curious mix of characteristics of both animals. They have stripes – which they got from their father – and spots – from their mother when they were young. Zoo manager Trent Russell said their best feature was their "bilingual ability". "They can vocalise in both a roar and a loud meow," Mr Russell said. The tigons are a popular attraction at the zoo. But there are unlikely to be any more, unless any accidents happen, since lions and tigers are not bred because genetic abnormalities can occur. A male tigon, for example, is infertile. When he was asked if the zoo could make room for the tigons, Mr Russell said he was "a little bit surprised". "But they're really, really nice cats," he said. http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1260&storyid=3601242

Nature's little accidents with a purr-fect appeal