First leopard cubs born in captivity in Peru climb trees and greet visitors at a Lima zoo

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The initial two leopard cubs to be born in captivity in Peru have commenced their tree-climbing ventures within the confines of a Lima zoo. This marked their inaugural introduction to the public eye.

These cubs, one male and one female, exhibited their small fangs and strolled in circular patterns as a zookeeper carefully retrieved them from their burrows, gently gripping them by the neck. Their eyes, notable for their size, were a shimmering shade of gray.

At just slightly over three months of age, these sibling cubs had been nourished with milk until recently when they experienced their first taste of meat.

Leo and Mali, the parents of the cubs, are both three years old and were relocated to Peru in 2021 from a municipal zoo in Leon, Mexico.

Giovanna Yépez, the assistant manager of zoology at the Parque de las Leyendas zoo, articulated their decision: “Based on the idea of preserving many species and promoting an adequate, controlled reproduction, we made the decision to give a young couple the opportunity to have offspring.”

As visitors gazed in awe at the cubs, treating them with the adoration reserved for cute kittens, the female cub, displaying a protective instinct for her sibling, attempted to nip at the leg of one of their caregivers. However, her youth and lack of expertise hindered her from achieving her intended objective.

These newborns have yet to be bestowed with names. The zoo has plans to organize a contest allowing the public to participate in naming them.

Panthera pardus leopards, the species to which these newborns belong, are categorized as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list. Notably, these four individuals represent the entirety of the known leopard population residing in Peru.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Peruvian Leopard Cubs

More about Peruvian Leopard Cubs

• Lima zoo welcomes first leopard cubs born in captivity in Peru
• Panthera pardus species on the IUCN Red List
• Conservation efforts for vulnerable species
• Leo and Mali, the leopard cubs’ parents