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What a purr-fect way to kick off the Guardians of the Wild initiative.
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The Toronto Zoo announced Thursday that their three-year-old female snow leopard Jita gave birth earlier this week to a pair of cubs sired by their nine-year-old male Pemba after a 97-day pregnancy.
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The zoo said the first cub was born on Monday at 7:45 p.m., followed by the second one early Tuesday, and that Jita is doing “very well as a first-time mother and is diligently nursing, grooming, and cuddling her ‘snowballs.’”
“Her wildlife care team is monitoring the new family closely via CCTV cameras to minimize any disturbance and will be closely observing the development of the cubs,” the zoo said through its Facebook account, noting snow leopards have a “vulnerable” status in the wild.
“More information will be shared as it becomes available.”
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The zoo said the cubs are not yet visible to guests, but they plan to update visitors in the “days and weeks to come” on when viewings will start.
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The announcement came on the same day the zoo announced its Guardians of the Wild initiative ahead of Endangered Species Day on Friday and the zoo’s 50th anniversary on Aug. 15.
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Organizers ask that participants reflect on the actions they have taken or plan to take to improve the planet for humans and animals by sharing sample social-media posts on their website beginning today and then tagging @TheTorontoZoo with the hashtag #GuardiansOfWild.
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“This (anniversary) milestone marks a half-century of caring for wildlife and acknowledging the support of our guests, members, donors, volunteers and community who have helped us become the place we are today,” the zoo’s website says.
“We invite you to embark on this journey with us as we look forward to the next 50 years and what it means for conservation, education, animal well-being and environmental stewardship.”
Changes are also underway to zoo infrastructure ahead of its 50th anniversary, including a new Community Conservation Centre, otter habitat and boardwalk linking the Indo-Malaya and Africa pavilions.
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