Having ripped jeans has been a fashion statement of danger and toughness in the past but it has never been more legit until now.

The Kamine Zoo in Hitachi, Japan recently took part in an unusual fundraiser: sell jeans that have been gnawed on by their lions, tigers and bears. Large sheets of denim were wrapped around objects like tires, logs and rubber balls for the animals to chew on. The deliberately torn material was then sewn into what they're calling "Zoo Jeans" and are to be sold at auction to raise money for the animals. No price has been set for the jeans.

"Except for the snake trying to constrict my neck, it's actually quite comfortable." Yeah...

The 54-year-old keeper, Mario, has worked at the zoo for almost 25 years and now has terminal cancer. He asked to be taken to the giraffe enclosure one last time to say goodbye to the animals.

Since being born at the Taipei Zoo in July, Taiwan's newborn panda Yuan Zai has been separated from her mother Yuan Yuan under medical quarantine for over a month. This week, the two adorable pandas were finally reunited for some quality snuggle time and a nap. Check out Taipei Zoo's YouTube channel for the latest videos of Yuan Zai's adventures!

The world's first known liliger -- half lion, half liger -- was recently born at a Siberian zoo. Mom is the liger, dad is the lion, and the cub is 100% adorable.

[youtube]