What are hybrid wild cats?

A hybrid is the offspring – the babies – of two different animal species from the same family when they crossbreed or interbreed. The hybrid animal usually cannot have babies.

In wild cats, for example, the Lion is closely related to the Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Jaguar. Although they rarely crossbreed – because they live in different countries or regions – if they do, they produce hybrid wild cats. Zoos do not encourage crossbreeding, called hybridization, because they want to conserve pure genes, and because it may not be safe for the babies.