The Saint Louis Zoo has proudly announced the birth of two Amur leopard cubs, born on April 21, 2022.
These critically endangered cubs are both female and represent a significant contribution to the preservation of the Amur leopard population in North American zoos.
This is the first time since 2010 that the zoo has welcomed Amur leopard cubs, making their birth a key step in protecting one of the world’s rarest big cats.
The cubs have been named Anya, meaning “grace,” and Irina, meaning “peace,” by the zoo’s Carnivore Care Team.
The cubs’ mother, Dorothy (or Dot), and their father, Samson, are both four years old. This is their first litter.
Dot and her cubs are doing well and will remain in a private indoor maternity den for the next few months, where the cubs will grow strong before being introduced to the outdoor habitat. Samson, their father, is currently available for zoo visitors to see in Big Cat Country.
Steve Bircher, Curator of Carnivores at the Saint Louis Zoo, commented on Dot’s nurturing abilities, saying, “Dot is an excellent mother, and it’s thrilling to see this first-time mom providing great care to her cubs. With so few of these big cats left in the world, each birth is crucial for the species’ survival.”
The cubs’ first health check, conducted when they were two weeks old, confirmed they were healthy, weighing around 2.5 pounds each, which is typical for their age.
The pairing of Dot and Samson was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Amur Leopard Species Survival Plan, which aims to sustain a genetically healthy population of Amur leopards in North American zoos.
The birth is especially important given that fewer than 100 Amur leopards remain in the wild, mostly in the coniferous forests of Primorye Province in Russia.
Bircher pointed out that there are more Amur leopards in human care than in the wild, with a global zoo population of about 300.
Without conservation efforts, this species could face extinction due to threats like habitat loss, poaching, and human encroachment.
Amur leopard cubs have a gestation period of around 100 days and, in the wild, stay with their mother for up to 1.5 years before young males establish their territories. Female cubs often remain in their mother’s territory as they mature.
For more updates on the cubs and other animals at the Saint Louis Zoo, visit their website or follow them on social media.
The zoo, home to over 14,000 animals and 500 species, continues to lead in animal care and conservation, attracting around 3 million visitors annually.
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