WINNIPEG — Assiniboine Park Zoo’s newest baby animals finally took their first steps in front of the public Tuesday morning.
The two yet-unnamed male snow leopard cubs were slow to make their way into the cage but finally popped out around 11:45 a.m.
However, with the scorching hot temperatures, the leopards quickly retreated back to their cool den.
“They already have such distinct personalities,” said zookeeper Jacquie Coleman. “One definitely is a little more inquisitive than the other.”
Coleman said the cubs ate on their own for the first time on Monday.
The cubs and their mother have spent the last several weeks cordoned in an off-exhibit area in their den and just their eight-week checkups with flying colours a few days ago.
“They are doing great health-wise,” said Chris Enright, the zoo’s head of veterinary services. “They are growing well, no problems on the physical examinations, and they got their first shots last week.”
The young cubs spend nearly 20 hours of the day sleeping and resting.
Zoo trainers said the best time to sneak a peek at the cubs is from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., when it’s cooler outside.
The zoo is asking for the community’s help in naming the two cubs. Vote on the zoo’s Facebook page until Thursday at 9 p.m.
The cubs’ names will be revealed on Friday morning.
These are the first cubs for both the mother and father leopards. Batu (the female) came to Winnipeg in June 2011 from the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle and is just over four years old. Henry James (also known as Akar) is three years old and came from the Tulsa Zoo in September 2011.
Comments