CHICAGO — A pair of rare Amur leopard cubs were born at the Brookfield Zoo Chicago earlier this month, the zoo announced Tuesday. The rare cubs are considered to be an important addition to the species\u2019 global population, as it\u2019s estimated there are less than 100 of the animals living in the wild worldwide. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis birth is a hopeful step for the future of Amur leopards,\u201d said Mark Wanner, associate vice president of animal care and conservation. \u201cWhile the exact number of Amur leopards remaining in the wild is unknown, we do know the species has been in steady decline. Each birth represents a critical opportunity to help ensure this extraordinary animal doesn\u2019t disappear forever.\u201d <\/p>\n
The cubs were born on July 14 to their mother Mina, an 8-year-old Amur leopard. Mina arrived at Brookfield from the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in October 2021 as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums\u2019 (AZA) Species Survival Plan. The plan works to maintain healthy and genetically diverse populations of threatened and endangered species by placing the animals in accredited zoos.<\/p>\n
The cubs\u2019 father, Sasha, was born at Brookfield Zoo Chicago in 2020, according to zoo officials. <\/p>\n
While the cubs are far from their native Russia, they are expected to do well in Chicago as Amur leopards thrive in cold temperatures. Brookfield Zoo says \u201ctheir ultra-thick coats and long tails help them stay warm in winter, making Chicago feel a lot like home.\u201d Amur leopards are considered to be the rarest big cats in the world. <\/p>\n
The cubs are being cared for by their mother and zoo experts in a private habitat at the Zoo. Staff are monitoring the cubs and expect to allow the public to view the animals once the cubs are \u201cstrong, confident and ready to explore.\u201d<\/p>\n
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