Thaindian News

By Meena Kar
Aug 16, (THAINDIAN NEWS) A zoo keeper has come under heavy criticism and may also face legal action for allowing a lion to mate with a tiger and producing two liger cubs in his zoo. Considering that cross breeding is illegal in Taiwan, the zoo operator could face a very stiff fine if found guilty. EAST (Environmental and Animal Society of Taiwan) has called for strict action to be taken against the zoo keeper for violating the Wildlife Conservation Law of Taiwan. The officials are due to visit the zoo to investigate the matter.

The zoo keeper has, however, insisted that he did not intentionally mate the tigress with the lion. He has admitted that he kept them together because he thought they were childhood lovers. He calls the birth of the ligers an accident. The father is an African lion and the mother is a 6 year old tigress. The animal right group on the other hand has urged the government to give a harsh punishment to the zoo keeper so that his actions are not copied by others.

The zoo operator has also been in legal trouble as he was alleged to have sold tiger bones and bear claws. The animal rights group feels that slapping a fine on him would be similar to selling him the right to breed such animals. The breeding of ligers is considered to be against the law of nature in several countries. The tigress had given birth to three liger cubs and only two of them have survived. Most reports suggest that the cubs will be ceased by the authorities after the investigation.