Two snow leopard cubs take their first tentative steps outside the security of their den.
After 4 years of unsuccessful mating, The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent has announced that two snow leopard cubs are doing well to first time mother, Laila. The cubs, both boys, were born on 26 April and have spent the first few weeks in the confines and safety of their den. During this time Head Keeper Briony Smith has held vigil by monitoring a CCTV feed and continues to keep a watchful eye from her office to check on their continued progress and allow every step to be taken at Laila’s pace. The male snow leopard, father Yarko is in close proximity but in a separate enclosure. With healthy growth and increasing confidence the cubs, now at 9 weeks, are beginning to venture out of the den, but these first tentative explorations are brief.
The boys are very different in terms of their character; the smaller, slightly paler boy is much bolder, naughtier and more inquisitive. The larger, darker boy is more timid and cautious, usually wanting to spend more time sleeping and eating, but is increasingly seen enticed into play sessions by his sibling.
The cubs, not yet named, have been bred as part of a global co-ordinated breeding programme and whilst these individuals won’t be released into the wild, they are important ambassadors for their iconic wild cousins and help maintain genetic diversity in the captive population. In the wild, Snow Leopards are so elusive they have achieved a near-mythical status but conservation efforts are yielding positive results. With habitat loss, poaching, climate change and farming pressures, this species is still extremely vulnerable. This is why it is so important to have a genetically and physically healthy captive population that could be called upon in the future to supplement the wild population to ensure the survival of the species. It is also vital that future generations are inspired by these beautiful big cats to ensure adequate funds and efforts are generated to provide the much-needed local conservation projects that sustain the wild population. It is expected that the young cubs will remain at the Big Cat Sanctuary for some 18 months until they can be found suitable breeding homes to contribute to the global breeding programme.
There are nearly fifty cats at the Big Cat Sanctuary. They are part of an international breeding programme or have been rescued, considered to be retired and there to peacefully live out their days. The ethos at the Big Cat Sanctuary is not to have lots of the public on-site like a traditional zoo but instead, a limited number of visitors can pay for a carefully managed tour experience. In addition to this, there are annual open days, members’ days and conservation talks throughout the year. There is already much anticipation about the arrival of the snow leopard cubs with just a few lucky visitors seeing their first glimpse of the pair today.
The Wildlife Heritage Foundation (The registered charity name of the Big Cat Sanctuary) plays a role in The Snow Leopard Trust’s Natural Partnerships Program. They and other partners make crucial contributions to the highest priority in-situ conservation and research programs in snow leopard range countries including; India, China, Mongolia, Kirgizstan and Pakistan. These five countries collectively contain over 75% of the world’s population of Snow Leopards.
More information at thebigcatsanctuary.org