Rare leopard cubs born at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Two Amur leopard cubs have been born at a Yorkshire zoo.

The cubs are only the second and third of their species to be born in the world this year, according to staff at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster.

Mother Kristen, 13, gave birth last week and park staff said the cubs would be kept inside for the first two months of their lives.

Animal director Dr Charlotte MacDonald said the cubs were significant “symbols of hope for the species”.

In June 2023, Kristen and father 14-year-old Drake welcomed Auckley only six months after being introduced to each other as part of a strategic international breeding programme to help save the species.

“Kristen is proving again to be a great mum,” Dr MacDonald said.

“So far, everything is going well with them, and we’re keeping them under constant supervision to see that all’s OK.”

She said the cubs weighed 4.4 lbs (2kg) to 6.6 lbs (3kg) when born and would spend their first two months inside the house at the park’s leopard enclosure.

Leopard Heights, as the enclosure is known, has a main reserve with viewing for visitors and two nursery reserves which are used as quiet areas for the leopards.

Dr MacDonald said: “We’re looking forward to having leopard cubs around again and very excited to introduce the cubs to our visitors, who will be able see the cubs in their den on live camera via a screen.”

Kristen, who was born in the Czech Republic, arrived at the park in 2022.

She has previously had three litters, the first 11 years ago, the second in 2016 and most recently Auckley, who was the only surviving cub born in Europe during 2023.

There were only six other Amur leopard births in the world in the past 12 months, according to the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS).

Dr MacDonald said: “It’s extremely exciting to see our efforts of helping save these beautiful creatures come to fruition.”

The species is normally found in the forests of Russia and China and there are now believed to be fewer than 100 in the wild.

Amur leopards can run at speeds of up to 37mph (59 km/h) and leap more than 19ft (5.7 m) horizontally.