Peek-A-Cub

(not the greatest photo but they were far away and I had to shoot thru netting - cropped)

 

Mom Sarani, and her first born cub (male), Everest, peek at the crowd as they wake up from their afternoon nap. I was so glad I stuck around and was able to see him. Everest (named for Mt. Everest) is a real thrill to watch. He is full of energy for sure. Everest and Sarani definitely have a good time playing together. Sarani is only 3 yrs old so she is still pretty much a kitten herself.

Dad is Sabu, who is 3 1/2 yrs old. Sabu & Sarani have been together at Brookfield Zoo for almost 2 yrs and were very close. Together always. Since the male Snow does not help raise the cubs, Sabu has been separated from Sarani since she gave birth on 13June13. Sadly he will have to get used to his solitude until Everest goes off some day to breed with a female at another zoo.

Brookfield Zoo has not had a successful Snow Leopard birth since the early 1990's.

 

ENDANGERED SPECIES

The snow leopard is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as globally Endangered

Range: Widely but sparsely distributed throughout the mountains of Central Asia

Habitat: Mainly cliffs and rocky slopes below the permanent snow line, including coniferous forest scrub.

 

Snow Leopard Cub, "Everest".

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Done