GUANGZHOU, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The Year of the Pig is getting off to an odd start at a south China wildlife park were three tiger cubs are being mothered by a sow.

    "The three Bengal tigers cubs were abandoned shortly after they were born," said a zoo keeper with Guangzhou Xiangjiang Wildlife Park in south China's Guangdong Province, adding that it was the tiger's first pregnancy.

    The breeders tried to bottle feed the cubs but they didn't take to it.

    "Within a few days the starving cubs were thin and bony. We didn't know what to do," said a breeder.

    Later it came to them. It's the year of the pig why not try a sow that had just given birth

    When the new mother waddled into enclosure the tiger cubs rushed to her and began suckling right away. The sow didn't mind and seemed to like her adopted "sons."

    The three tiger cubs are all strong and lively, even though pig's milk is less nutritious than a tiger's. The cubs are now also feeding on raw meat for lunch, while suckle for supper, said the breeder. "They also live in harmony with their piggy brothers."