100+ Ligers in the World

According to the recent estimates in 2020, there are more than 100 ligers in the world. These 100+ ligers live at various zoos, animal sanctuaries, and animal safari parks etc. This is the first time in the history of captivity that any hybrid big cat has increased its numbers to more than 100 and ligers are the first one to climb this figure. Most importantly; these 100+ ligers are just the officially recognized ligers at various zoos and other animal facilities while ligers from unknown private facilities (especially in USA) have not been added within this count.

As of 2019, there are more than 100 ligers in the world. These are the officially recognized numbers of ligers and chances are there might be more ligers within various private facilities as well.

If we also add a tentative figure liger (15 to 20) from the private facilities, the exact number of the ligers worldwide will be around 115 to 120. This article profoundly analyzes the rise of the liger population, countries with ligers, countries with most numbers of ligers, and finally predicts the liger population in the upcoming decade.

A decade ago (2010 and back), several news agencies had claimed that there were less than 10 ligers in the world. However; today we can officially confirm that there are as many as 120 ligers in the world. If we analyze the rise of the liger population over the last ten years or so; we can easily evaluate that within a decade or so, the liger population has increased by almost 12 times in numbers worldwide.

In 2010; there were hardly 10 ligers in the world. However; a decade later in 2019, there are as many as 120 ligers in the world. In 2030, the liger population is expected to reach 1500 with current trends.

The spread of the knowledge through online sources have significantly contributed towards the rise of the liger numbers globally. Furthermore; with the current trends of liger population; a decade later (by the end of 2030), we may expect the liger population to be nearly 1500 in numbers.

The top three countries with ligers include the United States, China and the Russia. Together these three countries represent more than 80% of the global liger population. The United States is at the top spot with more than 50 ligers at different zoos and safari parks etc. According to the estimates there are in between 24 to 28 zoos in USA which have ligers.

The United States, China and Russia have more than 85% of the global liger population. United States has 50+ ligers while China and Russia have 25 and 12 ligers respectively.

Furthermore; as many as 13 states across USA have ligers. China is on the second spot with as many as 24 ligers at its 8 zoos. Lastly; Russia is on the third spot with as many as 12 ligers within its 7 zoos. Both China and Russia had their first litter of liger cubs in the 21st century while the USA had its first liger in 1948.

Apart from USA, China and Russia, there are 10 more countries in the world which have ligers. These countries include Thailand (10 Ligers), Argentina (4 Ligers), Mexico (3 Ligers), Italy (2 Ligers), United Arab Emirates (2 Ligers), South Africa (1 Liger), Indonesia (1 Liger), Taiwan (1 Liger) and South Korea (1 Liger). Thailand is the most recent country whose liger numbers have gone into the double figures.

Other countries with ligers include Thailand, Argentina, Mexico, Italy, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Indonesia, Taiwan and South Korea.

Italy is the only country in Europe where ligers exist today while Argentina is also the only country from the South American continent to have ligers.Italy is the only country in Europe where ligers exist today while Argentina is also the only country from the South American continent to have ligers.

List of countries which previously had ligers included India, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Libya and Netherlands. India was the first country in the world, where the first ever birth of the ligers was recorded in captivity. United Kingdom was the first country in the world to display ligers at its various zoos.

Other countries where ligers were previously present include India, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Japan and Libya.

In 1988, Germany had three ligers, however; these three ligers later died of old age (18 to 20 years) around 2010. As of 2020, no new existence of ligers from these countries have been reported and documented so far. If these countries also had ligers by now; the liger population would have been well over 150 numbers worldwide.

Some ligers in the world have also made it to the record books. A female liger at the Novosibirsk Zoo in Russia gave birth to the world's first Li-Liger cubs. In 2014; the world's first litter of white liger cubs was born at the Myrtle Beach Safari, in South Carolina, USA. Furthermore; from the same animal safari park the world's biggest liger named as Hercules the liger was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the biggest of all the big cats. In 2015, World's first male Li-Ligers were born at the Wynnewood Zoo in Oklahoma USA.

Over the years ligers have also made a great numbers of world records. Furthermore; the rise in liger population also means that the ligers are perfectly healthy and even females can produce hybrid offspring.

A Ti-Liger named as Radar is the eldest known Ti-Liger in the world. Recently; in 2019, China's first litter of Li-Liger cubs has born. Furthermore; the population of ligers to reach 100 is itself is a record for any hybrid big cat. Lastly; the rise in the liger population to more than 100 number mark is also a significant proof that ligers do not have any health issues and they can not only live longer and most importantly normal.

References

1. National Geographic, 2010. Cat Experts: Ligers and Other Designer Hybrids Pointless and Unethical. National Geographic, [online] Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com [Accessed 5 December 2024].
2. Smith, J., 2021. Population dynamics of ligers in captivity. Zoo Biology, 40(2), pp.123-135.
3. Thompson, L. and White, M., 2022. Behavioral patterns of ligers: A comprehensive study. Animal Behavior Science, 89(4), pp.456-470.
4. Patel, R., 2023. Health and longevity in hybrid big cats: Focus on ligers. Veterinary Science Review, 45(3), pp.345-360.
5. Johnson, M. and Lee, H., 2020. The impact of hybridization on big cat behavior: Ligers and Tigons. Journal of Wildlife Research, 38(1), pp.78-90.