TEXAS — A feline phenomenon was captured by a Mexican environmental agency following an investigation of recent violent activity in the municipality of Coyame del Sotol, near the Texas border, that lead to the search of three deserted properties in the area.
Authorities discovered a liger, a hybrid offspring of male lion and a tigress, in one of the abandoned properties, which all had multiple bullet holes on their exterior and were guarded by personnel from the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA), according to a news release.
Various firearm casings, tactical clothing, long gun cases and a stolen 2020 Toyota Tuda pickup truck that was reported stolen in Texas were found at the home.
The liger, who officials determined to be about 1 year and 2 months old, was found inside a cage and in good health. The feline was secured by the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) for safekeeping. The liger is temporarily living in a zoo in Chihuahua City, according to The Border Report.
According to a 2017 report from the National Geographic, ligers aren’t found in the wild and are usually the result of a cross-breeding in captivity. They can grow to about 5 feet tall and can weigh more than twice the size of their lion fathers and tiger mothers.
