news release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marisa Ogles
[email protected]
423.643.5710
Chattanooga Zoo Announces Birth of Snow Leopard Cubs
Chattanooga, Tenn. Chattanooga, TN- - -Chattanooga Zoo residents Czar and Kasimir are
new parents to two Snow Leopard cubs born at the Zoo on October 2. Both cubs, one boy
and one girl, and mother are doing great.
Snow Leopards are considered a highly endangered species with only four to six thousand
remaining in the wild. High death rates in the wild are due to poaching, retribution killings
and vanishing habitats. Efforts at breeding snow leopards in captivity have been
marginally successful at best due to their highly solitary lifestyles and low birth survival
rate. The two cubs are the second litter from parents Kasimer (13) and Czar (7). Their first
cub, Renji, was born on January 10, 2011 and now resides at the Cincinatti Zoo as part of
the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) program’s
breeding efforts.
The Chattanooga Zoo, an active participant in the AZA’s SSP program for snow leopards,
works hard to breed genetically healthy zoo populations of snow leopards and save their
native habitat through awareness and education efforts.
“Over recent years, Snow Leopards have not bred well in North American zoos so for the
Chattanooga Zoo to have two litters over a short period of time is a great achievement. The
Snow Leopard is an endangered species with a decreasing wild population. Only nine cubs
that were born this year survived,” notes AZA Snow Leopard SSP Director and
Superintendent of Miller Park Zoo, Jay Tetzloff.
Zoo Executive Director Darde Long says, "It's wonderful to have baby snow leopard cubs
again at our Zoo. What is even more exciting is to have cubs that are on the endangered
species list. It speaks volumes to the special care our Zoo staff gives to our animals.
Hopefully, everyone will come out this winter and see our newest animal ambassadors."
More…
The snow leopard cubs will not be available for public viewing for another month,
however, once on exhibit the Chattanooga Zoo plans to have live video feed of the cubs for
interested cub lovers everywhere to view.
The 14-acre Chattanooga Zoo (historically referred to as the Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park) is
accredited by the national Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), assuring the highest standards of
animal care and husbandry. The Zoo is dedicated to its mission of engaging and inspiring all citizens of
the community to better understand and preserve wildlife by creating meaningful connections between
people and animals. With its intimate, innovative exhibits, wide-ranging education offerings and
commitment to conservation, the Chattanooga Zoo fills a unique niche within the community. The Zoo is
open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For
more information, visit www.chattzoo.org.