Three liger cubs have been born at a private zoo in southern Taiwan, with two surviving. This is the first time a male lion and female tiger have been crossbred on the island.

The two cubs were moved into incubators after the mother made no attempt to nurse them. Zoo authorities say the parents have lived together since they were both very young. This was the first pregnancy since the duo began mating three years ago. It's common for lions and tigers to attack each other if they are kept together.

Ligers, like many hybrid species, lack the ability to reproduce. Once they grow up, they can live for more than 20 years.