Posted by Craig Newberry, Communications
Photos: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo
Three snow leopard cubs born at Woodland Park Zoo now have names! Their names are Lenny, Phyllis and Raya. Lenny, male, and Phyllis, female, were named by special friends of the zoo; Raya (RYE-uh), female, was named by Woodland Park Zoo animal keepers.
The three cubs have been busy exploring and getting familiar with the public habitat and can now be seen by guests! The best chance to catch a glimpse of these cuties is daily between 9:30 a.m. and noon.
The cubs were born on Memorial Day to mom Marai, 7, and dad Aibek, 6. This is their first litter of cubs after they were paired under the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program across accredited zoos to help ensure a healthy, self-sustaining population of the species.
Since snow leopards are solitary animals in the wild, the cubs’ father and grandmother Helen are housed separately. Guests can see either Aibek and Helen, 19, the mother of Aibek, on exhibit when the cubs are not out.
To help ensure the future of snow leopards in their native range, the zoo asks the community to support the zoo and partner Snow Leopard Trust, and pledge never to buy or sell illegal animal products on the black market. Learn more about SLT and how to help protect these majestic cats by visiting zoo.org/snowleopards.
Photos: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo
Three snow leopard cubs born at Woodland Park Zoo now have names! Their names are Lenny, Phyllis and Raya. Lenny, male, and Phyllis, female, were named by special friends of the zoo; Raya (RYE-uh), female, was named by Woodland Park Zoo animal keepers.
The three cubs have been busy exploring and getting familiar with the public habitat and can now be seen by guests! The best chance to catch a glimpse of these cuties is daily between 9:30 a.m. and noon.
The cubs were born on Memorial Day to mom Marai, 7, and dad Aibek, 6. This is their first litter of cubs after they were paired under the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program across accredited zoos to help ensure a healthy, self-sustaining population of the species.
Since snow leopards are solitary animals in the wild, the cubs’ father and grandmother Helen are housed separately. Guests can see either Aibek and Helen, 19, the mother of Aibek, on exhibit when the cubs are not out.
Special friends of Woodland Park Zoo, Rob Harris and his family, named the male snow leopard cub Lenny after their granddaughter, Lennon, and in honor of their two Bengal cats who descended from the Asian leopard cat. “The animals at Woodland Park Zoo serve as ambassadors for their wild cousins. The birth of three cubs is a sign of hope for the future,” said Harris. “As a family we are huge believers in the value of Woodland Park Zoo for wildlife conservation around the world. You all do such great work, we are very appreciative to have such a great zoo in our community!”
Woodland Park Zoo has long been a conservation partner with the Snow Leopard Trust (SLT) and the zoo has been caring for snow leopards since the zoo’s first snow leopards arrived in 1972 from the former USSR. The Snow Leopard Trust was created in 1981 by the late Woodland Park Zoo staff member Helen Freeman, the namesake of the zoo’s snow leopard Helen.
Woodland Park Zoo has long been a conservation partner with the Snow Leopard Trust (SLT) and the zoo has been caring for snow leopards since the zoo’s first snow leopards arrived in 1972 from the former USSR. The Snow Leopard Trust was created in 1981 by the late Woodland Park Zoo staff member Helen Freeman, the namesake of the zoo’s snow leopard Helen.
To help ensure the future of snow leopards in their native range, the zoo asks the community to support the zoo and partner Snow Leopard Trust, and pledge never to buy or sell illegal animal products on the black market. Learn more about SLT and how to help protect these majestic cats by visiting zoo.org/snowleopards.
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