Two endangered Persian leopard cubs, born just a month ago at Safari Park Dvůr Králové, are now closely watched by staff and visitors alike.
These male cubs are the park’s first leopard births in eight years, a significant event for the European breeding program, especially due to the valuable genetic background of their parents.
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First-time mother Banu, a three-year-old leopard who arrived from Cologne last year, diligently cares for her cubs.
Zoo staff, including zoologist Gabriela Linhart, have observed Banu’s protective nature, reacting swiftly to disturbances with a low growl. Because of this, the cubs’ first health check only took place recently, after their birth on August 22.
During the check, it was confirmed that both cubs were male and were given deworming treatment before being reunited with their mother.
The cubs have begun to move around their enclosure, though they remain mostly out of public view.
According to Linhart, they will be vaccinated in about a month, after which they’ll be ready to explore the outdoor paddock. Given their resilience as a species, they are expected to be visible throughout the winter months.
The father of these cubs, Arkhyz, a genetically valuable seven-year-old male, was acquired by the park in 2017 from Sochi, Russia.
His lack of close genetic relations with other European Persian leopards makes him an important addition to the breeding population.
In recent years, conservationists have faced challenges managing the species due to the limited genetic diversity among Persian leopards.
Although Persian leopards were once more widespread in zoos, their numbers have dwindled, with most now residing in European facilities. The birth of these cubs is a hopeful step for the species’ future.
The global population of Persian leopards is estimated to be no more than 1,300, with the majority living in Iran.
These large, powerful leopards thrive in the mountainous regions of Central and Western Asia and are well-suited to endure the cold winters of the Czech Republic.
In the wild, they primarily hunt ungulates like wild goats and boars but also catch smaller prey such as hares and rodents.
Dvůr Králové Safari Park has a strong track record with Persian leopard conservation, having raised its first cubs in 1979.
Since then, 31 leopards have been born at the park, contributing significantly to the survival of this critically endangered species.
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