GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — John Ball Zoo (JBZ) announced Monday that they have welcomed another exciting new addition to the zoo's family. A female snow leopard cub was born to parents Yuki, 3, and Mylo, 7.
The cub was born on Thursday, June 6. This is Yuki's first cub, the zoo said both mom and baby are doing well.
“We’re so excited to welcome Yuki and Mylo’s cub, who is doing well and receiving attentive care behind the scenes at the Zoo,” said Jaime Racalla, animal care supervisor at John Ball Zoo. “John Ball Zoo is proud to help contribute to the conservation of snow leopards through strategic breeding and excellent animal care.”
Yuki has been at JBZ since 2023, she came from the Toledo Zoo. Mylo came to JBZ from the Toronto Zoo in 2021. The zoo said that the Species Survival Plan Program, through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, shows that the pair makes a good genetic match for breeding.
This year was the pair's first breeding season. The zoo has successfully bred snow leopard pairs in the past. They said their veterinary team utilized "ultrasound training" with Yuki in order to check on her cub throughout her pregnancy.
"Snow leopards in the wild live in high mountain ranges in countries in central and south Asia," said the zoo in a statement. "Due to poaching and climate change, snow leopards are a threatened species. John Ball Zoo is partnered with the Snow Leopard Trust, a conservation group, to protect this species, and with the Zoo’s support, the Trust has purchased a vehicle to allow greater access for field scientists."
Yuki and her cub will remain behind the scenes for the next few weeks. The zoo said Yuki has been a "great and attentive" mother. Guests can still see Mylo out in the snow leopard habitat.
The birth of the snow leopard cub follows some other new additions to the zoo. They also recently welcomed three lynx kits and three penguin chicks.
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