21 Lions Dying In Indian Zoo After Cross-Breeding Experiment Fails

[hatrack]

Oops.

CHANDIGARH, India - Twenty-one lions are dying in a zoo in north India after a cross-breeding experiment to boost the park's attractions went disastrously wrong.

In the 1980s officials at the Chhatbir Zoo in the northern city of Chandigarh, bred captive Asiatic lions with a pair of African circus animals, resulting in a hybrid species.

Within a few years it became obvious it had not worked. The offspring found it hard to walk, let alone run, because their hind legs were weak. And by the mid 1990s the big cats -- which live for up to 20 years in captivity -- showed symptoms of failing immune systems.

But it wasn't until 2000 that the breeding programme was ended, and the male lions given vasectomies, by which time the zoo had 70 to 80 such lions.

Their number dwindled slowly, with disease killing some and some dying of wounds inflicted by other lions. Authorities say they are waiting for the population to "phase out" before they can start breeding pure Asiatic lions.

EDIT

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/38145/story.htm

[Ann Arbor Dem]

1. When will we ever learn?

x(

[JuniperLea]

2. History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of man...

Messing with Mother Nature is a scary proposition. Those poor beasts.

[populistdriven]

3. Godzilla!

[JuniperLea]

9. Killer! You got it!

<>

[Benhurst]

4. When will we ever learn. Look what happened

when Poppy bred with Barbara.

[Captain Hilts]

5. You made my day Benhurst....nt

[Benhurst]

6. ...

:hi:

[Atman]

7. BWHAHA! Post of the day!

Thanks!

[Benhurst]

8. ...

:hi:

[skids]

10. Haven't they ever heard that song by "loverboy"?

It goes like "dun dah duh dee duh Asiatic and African lion dna just don't mix!"