These Critically Endangered Amur Leopard Twins Are The Newest Additions To The Saint Louis Zoo
The Saint Louis Zoo in St. Louis, Missouri has welcomed a very special set of twins to their zoo family.
On April 21st, two critically endangered Amur leopard cubs were born. They are two little girls, and they are the first pair of cubs born at the zoo since 2010.
Their birth is a huge victory for not only the Saint Louis Zoo but for conservation efforts throughout North America, as this species of leopard is considered to be one of the most endangered cats in the world.
The cubs are named Anya and Irina, which translates to “grace” and “peace.” Such beautiful names for two beautiful cubs.
The cubs were born to Dorothy and Samson, two 4-year-old leopards at the zoo. They were Dorothy’s first litter.
Samson is back out in the zoo and can be visited by guests, but the cubs and Dorothy must stay inside an indoor maternity den within the Big Cat Country part of the zoo.
According to the zoo’s website, this helps the cubs “safely navigate all of the obstacles in the outdoor habitat.”
Steve Bircher of the Saint Louis Zoo said, “There are so few of these rare big cats left in the world and each birth is extremely important for the survival of the species.”
Jackie McGarrahan, Saint Louis Zoo; pictured above is Dorothy with her two cubs
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The first few months of Anya and Irina’s life are crucial to their survival, and they are consistently being monitored by experts at the zoo.
They recently had their first baby check-ups, and they are looking very healthy. Each baby only weighs around 2.5 pounds, but they could grow up to be anywhere from 60-125 pounds.
Dorothy, or “Dot,” was chosen to pair up with Samson per a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Amur Leopard Species Survival Plan, which is a program that seeks to maintain a genetically healthy population of Amur leopards in North American zoos.
Their work is very important, as currently there are less than 100 Amur leopards left in the wild. Due to human activity, poaching, and habitat loss, the species is extremely close to going extinct.
The conversation programs at the St. Louis zoo, are determined to keep this beautiful creature on our planet.
We cannot wait to see the little cubs when they emerge from their den. To learn more about the cubs and the St. Louis Zoo, visit the link here.
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