The Potawatomi Zoo’s Amur Leopard residents Pearl and Sergei are new parents again as they’ve given birth to cub twins.
The twins, born on Tuesday, July 26, are the fourth and fifth Amur Leopard cubs born at the Potawatomi Zoo within the last year and a half, according to Potowatami Zoo Executive Director Marcy Dean.
Their births are significant for both the Amur Leopard population and the Zoo, as their entry to the world marks nine successful Amur Leopard cubs born through four litters at the Zoo since 2007, Dean said.
Both mom and the cubs are doing well.
The cubs received their first veterinary check up last week and were given a clean bill of health by the Zoo staff veterinarian, Dean said.
The Potawatomi Zoo is actively engaging in breeding genetically healthy Amur Leopards to help populate the critically endangered species, which are only found in Far Eastern Russia and Northeast China.
The cubs will not be available for public viewing for another four months, due to both age and size. They will spend the next several weeks in the nest box with mom, Pearl.
Visitors can stay up to date on how the cubs are doing by going to the Zoo’s website and at the Potawatomi Zoo’s YouTube channel to see pictures and video.