Environment

Rare Clouded Leopard Cubs Born at US National Zoo Research Center

by Tina Kells | March 25, 2009 at 07:58 am

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A pair of rare clouded leopard cubs have been born at the US National Zoo research center in Virginia. The vicious rare breed of cats are said to be difficult to breed and this is the first time clouded leopard cubs have been born in 16 years.

The cubs' mother is Jao Chu, a two-and-a-half year old clouded leopard that lives at the National Zoo Research and Conservation Center. The father is two-and-a-half year old Hannibal. Both parents were born in Thailand.

The successful breeding is part of a coordinated effort between the US team and Thai researchers. This is the first litter for Jao Chu and it was considered a great success. The two newborn cubs have not yet been named and their genders will not be announced until they have had their first visit from the Vet.

See pictures of the two newborn clouded leopard cubs in the National Zoo Conservation Center's Flickr Photo Stream.

The clouded leopard breeding difficulties are due to a violent streak in the breed. While mating the male often kills the female, and after giving birth the female will often kill her cubs. Here's one endangered species we can't blame on human expansion, makes you wonder how the clouded leopards have survived this long.

Two rare and endangered clouded leopard cubs have been born at a National Zoo research center in northern Virginia, the first such births in 16 years.
The babies were born Tuesday morning and were quickly taken from their mother before she could harm them, which often occurs.