Idaho Falls snow leopard cub a ‘representation of hope’
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IDAHO FALLS — A snow leopard was born at the Idaho Falls Zoo, city officials announced Friday.
Approximately 600 snow leopards live in accredited zoos worldwide, including about 250 in American zoos.
The staff at the Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park announced the birth of the male snow leopard when the cub was 8 weeks old. He was born in early May.
He is being raised by his mother, Sundarii. Sundarii is 10 years old and has successfully raised cubs in the past. The father of the cub is 6-year-old Ketu. This is the first male offspring for the pair.
Weighing 1.46 pounds at birth, the cub grew to 9.04 pounds as of July 5. The cub is now old and healthy enough to venture out into the outdoor snow leopard enclosure.
He is available for public viewing from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
“To ensure the health and safety of the cub, its birth was not announced right away,” Large-Mammal Keeper Dallas LaDucer said. “Waiting a few weeks also provides some privacy for the mother.”
“This is very significant day for the zoo, for the city and for conservation in general,” Idaho Falls Zoo Executive Director David Pennock said. “(The cub) represents a very critically endangered species from Asia. A new snow leopard cub is an important step in ensuring the long-term viability of an endangered species.”
“He is a representation of hope for a bright and healthy future for this extraordinary species and the world’s wildlife as a whole.”
The cub has been monitored closely by veterinary and zoo-keeping staff since his birth May 10. Sundarii has once again proven to be an excellent mother, the zoo said, and staff members are pleased with the growth and development of the cub.
Zoo officials have not yet named the cub. It is unknown how or when that process will take place.
“Right now we are calling him Baby Snow Leopard Cub,” LaDucer said.
The birth of the cub is significant in that snow leopards are endangered in the wild due to habitat loss and poaching. It is estimated that there are only 4,000 to 6,500 snow leopards left in the wild, the zoo said.
This new cub is the 18th snow leopard cub born at the Idaho Falls Zoo. As a participant in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for snow leopards, cubs born at the Idaho Falls Zoo have been placed in breeding programs throughout North America including New York, Toronto, Seattle, Chicago, Memphis, Albuquerque and Omaha to ensure the genetic health and long-term viability of the snow leopard population, the zoo said.
“The zoo is very excited to introduce this beautiful new snow leopard cub to our guests!” said Pennock. “He is a representation of hope for a bright and healthy future for this extraordinary species and the world’s wildlife as a whole.”