The Wildlife Conservation Society has some good news: The snow leopard cubs above are the first snow leopard cubs ever born in the NYC Central Park Zoo.
The brother and sister, which were born earlier this summer but kept away from prying eyes, now weigh about 30 pounds, but are expected to reach between 65-120 pounds.
Their parents are Zoe, the mother (7), and Askai (6), a male sent to the Central Park Zoo from the Bronx Zoo. Both adults are first-time parents.
Their birth is great news because: "Snow leopards are among the world’s most endangered big cats with an estimated 3,500-6,500 remaining in the wild.
Their range is limited to remote mountains of Central Asia and parts of China, Mongolia, Russia, India and Bhutan. WCS has worked for decades on snow leopard conservation programs in the field with current projects in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and western China.
Past projects have included work with snow leopards in Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia."
Snow leopards are solitary animals, except for mating and when females are raising cubs. Cubs remain with their mother until they are independent around 18 to 22 months. They reach sexual maturity between 2 to 3 years of age.
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The brother and sister, which were born earlier this summer but kept away from prying eyes, now weigh about 30 pounds, but are expected to reach between 65-120 pounds.
Their parents are Zoe, the mother (7), and Askai (6), a male sent to the Central Park Zoo from the Bronx Zoo. Both adults are first-time parents.
Their birth is great news because: "Snow leopards are among the world’s most endangered big cats with an estimated 3,500-6,500 remaining in the wild.
Their range is limited to remote mountains of Central Asia and parts of China, Mongolia, Russia, India and Bhutan. WCS has worked for decades on snow leopard conservation programs in the field with current projects in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and western China.
Photo Credit Julie Larsen Maher/WCS
Snow leopards are solitary animals, except for mating and when females are raising cubs. Cubs remain with their mother until they are independent around 18 to 22 months. They reach sexual maturity between 2 to 3 years of age.
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Na al het slechte nieuws uit Taiji maakt dit mij vandaag gelukkig............
exquisite. and sadly, it seems the only place safe from man is being in his captivity :(