Two clouded leopards were born Tuesday at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.
The cubs, a male and a female, weigh about a half pound each. They are the second litter for Chai Li and her mate, Nah Fun.
“The cubs are eating well and sleeping soundly,” said Andy Goldfarb, staff biologist who has worked with the endangered species for 25 years.
The public will be asked to help select names in a few weeks. Staff biologists will hand-raise the leopard cubs, which eventually will live in the cub den in the Cats of the Canopy exhibit.
Point Defiance is one of only three zoos in the country that breed clouded leopards. Chai Li gave birth to two cubs, Taji and Sumalee, in June.
Two other sets of clouded leopards live at the zoo. Jao Ying and Chee Wit are featured in the Cats of the Canopy exhibit. Josie and Raja, who had cubs in 2003, live behind the scenes at Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater.
Zoo staff members said Tuesday’s births are important because they highlight an endangered species.
“Every birth is precious, especially with clouded leopards because we don’t even know how many there are on the planet,” said zoo deputy director John Houck.
Clouded leopards mostly live in the forest of Southeast Asia but have become vulnerable due to hunting and clear-cutting being done so oil palm plantations can expand.
Check out this video of clouded leopard cubs born at Point Defiance Zoo:
http://news.yahoo.com/video/seattleking5-15751314/two-clouded-leopard-cubs-born-at-point-defiance-zoo-28531976.html
