ZooBorns

A Star Is Born in Chattanooga!

Chattanooga Zoo is happy to announce the arrival of a tiny Snow Leopard cub. Born January 10th, the cub is growing quickly and currently weighs in at around 5 pounds. For some time, zoo keepers weren't even sure that mother Kasmir was pregnant, becuase captive Snow Leopard births are so rare this time of year. These rare Leopards are endangered in the wild, and institutions such as the Chattanooga Zoo play a vital role in building awareness of their plight and that of their threatened mountain habitat.

Photo credits: Chattanooga Zoo

 

Snow Leopards Cubs Debut in Oklahoma

On May 12th, the Oklahoma City Zoo welcomed two little Snow Leopard cubs but waited until the cubs had had their second round of shots and time to bond with mom before debuting them to the public yesterday. This is the second set of cubs for mother Kiara, who was born at the Tulsa Zoo. Despite being bottle-fed herself, Kiara has proven to be a capable and attentive mother. The cubs are still too young, and the weather too hot, for the cubs to go outside but they will make it out within a few weeks.

Photo credits: Oklahoma City Zoo (see more on their Facebook album)

Three Snow Leopard Cubs Debut Banham Zoo

This past weekend, the UK's Banham Zoo debuted their three 10 week old Snow Leopard cubs to the public. Up until now, the only glimpses most zoo staff had seen were grainy images from the remote den cam. The cubs appear happy and healthy and still have access to the secluded den area for when they want to avoid the limelight. The Banham Zoo has been part of the European Breeding Programme for this endangered species for over 25 years.

Photo credits: Banham Zoo

Cape May County Zoo's Newest and Noisiest Little Friends

Two weeks ago we brought you the announcement of two new Snow Leopards born at the Cape May County Zoo in New Jersey. Today we share their video debut as they make one big noisily adorable spectacle of themselves.

A reminder - The zoo is holding a naming contest for the two cubs and you can submit your names for the cubs by sending an email to info@capemaycountyzoo.org (include your name, age, address, phone number, email and cub names). You may also submit your names in person at the zoo. To learn more about the contest and to see posted entries, visit the contest web page.

Name the Snow Leopard Cubs!

Calling all kids 12 and under! The Cape May County Zoo in Cape May, New Jersey is holding a naming contest and they need your help. Two male baby snow leopard cubs were born in early May to first-time mother Himani and father Vijay. You may submit your names for the two cubs online to info@capemaycountyzoo.org (include your name, age, address, phone number, email and cub names). You may also submit your names in person at the zoo. To learn more about the contest and to see posted entries, visit the contest web page. The zoo has plans to build a new habitat for the Snow Leopard family and fund raising efforts are to begin this summer.

Photo Credits: William MacQueen/Cape May County Zoo

Sneaking a Peek at Buffalo's Snow Leopard Cubs

For the first time in five years, the “pitter patter” of little snow leopard paws can be heard at the Buffalo Zoo. Two male cubs were born on June 6, 2010 to mother, Annapurna, and father, Dwaine. The breeding was recommended as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is designed to help a species maintain a healthy and stable population. Red lights in the den cannot be seen by snow leopards (cats lack cones for red light) but allow keepers to keep a watchful eye on the new family.

First-time mom, Annapurna, was the last snow leopard to be born at the Buffalo Zoo. She is taking good care of her little ones, who remain with her in the nest box off exhibit. Keepers have set up a Live Cam in the nest box so visitors can observe the cubs’ progress on the monitor inside Ecostation. 

Found in the high mountains of Central Asia, including the Himalayas, Altai and Hindu Kush, snow leopards are solitary animals that typically only come together for breeding. Snow leopard cubs open their eyes at seven to nine days, eat sold food at two months and follow their mother on hunts at three months.

Snow leopards are highly endangered due to poaching for the fur trade, loss of habitat, dam projects and loss of food sources. 

Belgium Welcomes First Baby Snow Leopard

Belgium's Planckendael Zoo is proud to announce the debut of Laila, the first Snow Leopard cub ever to be born in the country. A short while after her birth in April, Laila's mother Maili's health declined rapidly and, sadly, she did not survive. Planckendael keepers stepped in and have raised the orphaned cub by hand. It is believed that only between 4,000 and 6,000 Snow Leopards remain in the wild. Laila represents an invaluable new bloodline for the European Snow Leopard Breeding Program.

Photo Credits: Zoo Planckendael

Many more pics and another video below the fold...

Leaping Leopards, Literally! Tokyo's Tiniest New Cub

A new baby male snow leopard, Yukichi, went on display before the public at Tama Zoo in Hino City, Tokyo. Yukichi was born on July 2nd to mother Yuki and father Valdemar. Yukichi is the forth baby for Yuki and the first for Valdemar.

Romping Snow Leopard Kittens

Well technically they're cubs... but the Woodland Park Zoo's newest little Snow Leopards sure look like curious kittens to us. ZooBorns covered these guys when they were tiny back in June but it's only been two months and they still have a lot of growing to do.

Once again, kudos to the Woodland Park Zoo's Ryan Hawk for the great footage and editing.

Looking Fierce!

This "ferocious" young cub was born in May at Utah's Hogle Zoo but just recently debuted to the public. Critically endangered in their native home of the Himalayas and other Central Asian mountain ranges, snow leopards are bred at zoos across the country as part of the AZA's Species Survival Plan. 

Looking less fierce

Photo credits (bottom two pictures): Bill Warden