RARE snow leopard triplets have made their first public appearance at Basel Zoo in Switzerland.
The zoo is showing off the eight-week-old cubs today alongside their mother, Mayhan and father, Pator.
The pair were matched mid-January through a preservation program run by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria.
Snow leopards are an endangered species and only 4000 to 6000 are believed to still live in the wild.
They are mainly found in the mountains of Central Asia and the Himalayas.
With thanks to News.com.
Three Snow Leopard Cubs Born at Zoo Basel
Uploaded by ZooBorns on Jun 15, 2011
This past week Zoo Basel’s newest furry residents began to venture outside of their den for the first time, proving to be bold and curious little cubs. Born April 22nd, the three little Snow Leopard cubs have stayed secluded with mom, Mayhan, in the den for the last two months and these pictures are their first debut to the world. While the cubs are still nursing, they are also getting practice at munching chicken, which appears to be more about having fun than dinner at this stage. In the wild this shy mountain dwelling feline is threatened by poaching and suspicious herders. Wild populations are estimated to be only 4,000 – 6,000 making these births all the more important.
This video is courtesy of and copyright by Zoo Basel.
Tags: Open thread, snow leopard, Switzerland
