Leopard Kittens Bring Joy to Prague Zoo

Amur Leopard triplets aged one month Photo: Tomáš Adamec, Prague Zoo

After thirteen years
“After thirteen years we have finally managed to raise the Amur Leopard cubs. And the triplets of this critically endangered species were born here for the first time,” explained Pavel Brandl, the curator of mammals in  Prague Zoo. Three-year-old Khanka and a four-year-old Kirin are parents of two males and one female. Given the rarity of the breed, the mother and her litter were moved to the breeding facility.

Curious kittens
“Special arrangements were made here and in the surrounding area, as this is the first time we managed to breed three offspring of Amur Leopard. Khanka proved to be a caring mother who looked after her young straight after their birth. They began leaving the safety of the delivery kennel in January and today they sometimes crawl outside. All of them  are  very curious. At first the male cub with unusual black fur was less courageous, but now it is one of the females who is more timid,” Kristýna Bachůrková, a Zoo keeper, said. “The cubs continue to drink their mother´s milk, but they also get a regular meat diet now,” she added.

To be seen
Currently you can enjoy the cute kittens only on the photos from Tomáš Adamec. According to the Zoo keepers, the visitors  will have a possibility to  see them   in about a month at the upper part of the Zoo, where at present their father Kirin resides. He takes turns with another Prague Amur Leopard female called Betyna.

The Amur leopard is one of the most endangered big cats. IUCN estimates their number in the wild to 30 individuals. They inhabit parts of Russia, China and North Korea. Therefore their breeding in captivity is extremely important.