Liliger cubs born at Russian zoo Three liliger cubs born in Russia. RIA Novosti/Alexandr Kryajev A rare lion-tiger hybrid, more commonly known as a liger, gave birth to three cubs at a zoo in Novosibirsk, Russia. The liliger cubs -- one quarter tiger, three-quarters lion -- are all females and were born in May. Their mother, Zita, was born at the zoo in 2004, and their father, Sam, is an African lion. The three cubs have one older sibling, Kiara, born in September. Ligers are the largest known cat in the world and share both physical and temperamental characteristics with lions and tigers. They do not exist in the wild, and only female ligers can reproduce.