Photos: Brookfield Zoo Welcomes New Snow Leopard Cub

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 23, 2013 9:30PM

Brookfield Zoo has a new addition to its family: a male snow leopard cub was born at the zoo June 13.

The yet-unnamed cub has been bonding with his mother, 3-year-old Sarani, since his birth and will be revealed to the public in September. Snow leopards are listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their numbers, which are estimated to be between 3,500 and 7,000 in the wild, are declining due to human influence such as poaching for medicinal markets and hides, depletion of their prey base, retribution killing following livestock losses, residential and commercial development, and civil unrest.

Sarani and her mate, 3-year-old Sabu, arrived at Brookfield Zoo in October 2011 from Tautphaus Park Zoo in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Cape May County Park Zoo in New Jersey, respectively. Their pairing was based on a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan (SSP). An SSP is a cooperative population management and conservation program for select species in AZA zoos and aquariums. Including the new cub, there are currently, 140 snow leopards in 60 institutions in North America. Brookfield Zoo has exhibited snow leopards since 1936.