2 Rare Leopard Cubs Born at St. Louis Zoo: Photos

The St. Louis Zoo is celebrating two very special additions to its animal family.

On Aug. 13, a pair of rare Amur leopard cubs were born to 7-year-old parents Dot and Samson, according to an Aug. 27 news release. The zoo said the birth of the cubs represents “an important contribution to the population of one of the most endangered big cats in the world.”

Mom Dot and the two cubs “are doing well” so far and are busy bonding in their private, indoor maternity den. The zoo explained that it will be several months before the newly expanded family makes their public debut “at the age when cubs would naturally leave the den with their mother.”

Proud father Samson, meanwhile, can be seen by visitors in his habitat at Big Cat Country, an area of the zoo where large cats, including leopards, tigers and pumas, reside.

As this marks Dot and Samson’s second litter, “Dot knows exactly what to do [with the new cubs],” Julie Hartell-DeNardo, Saint Louis Zoo Kevin Beckmann Curator of Carnivores, said.

“Every Amur leopard birth is critical for the survival of this rare species,” she added. “Our team is incredibly grateful to see mom and cubs doing so well so quickly.”

The zoo said Amur leopard cubs are born after a gestation period of roughly 100 days, and in the wild, they remain with their mother for about 18 months. Young females often continue to stay with their mother after they mature, but young males establish their territories elsewhere.

According to the zoo, the first few months of life are “critical” for newborn leopards.

The zoo’s Animal Care Team is currently monitoring the cubs and their mom via camera to observe their behavior and Dot’s efforts to nurse and care for the babies.

The cubs will receive their first well check by the Veterinary Care team in the coming weeks. “Since the mother is keeping the litter close for the time being, that will be the first chance for the care team to determine the sex of each cub,” the zoo said.

The cubs will also be given their names after their first veterinary exam.

Dot and Samson arrived at the St. Louis Zoo in 2020 and 2021, respectively, from other zoos. They were paired per a breeding recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Amur Leopard Species Survival Plan (SSP).

“The SSP works closely with global conservation partners to safeguard this species from extinction, making each successful birth a step forward for the future of the Amur leopard,” the St. Louis Zoo said.

Since 1991, six other cubs were born as part of four litters at the zoo — four females and two males.

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Amur leopards are the most endangered big cats in the world. Only about 100 remain in the wild in the Russian Far East and northeastern China.

“The birth of these cubs is not just a celebration for Saint Louis, but a victory for the future of one of the world’s rarest and most remarkable animals,” Hartell-DeNardo said, per the release. “Amur leopards’ survival depends on the conservation efforts of zoos like ours. Without this work, we might lose these cats altogether.”