2 Endangered Amur Leopard Cubs Born in Illinois Zoo

Two endangered Amur leopards have been born in a Chicago-area zoo -- the second birth of the endangered and extremely rare animals in a U.S. zoo within two weeks.

Officials at the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages the Brookfield Zoo in the Chicago suburb of Brookfield, say two male Amur leopard cubs were born on April 18.

Zoo officials -- though ecstatic by the birth of the two cubs -- waited until the cubs were eight weeks old before announcing their births. Both young leopards are said to be doing well and bonding with their mother. It’s expected the public will get a chance to see the cubs around mid-July.

The births of the cubs, as well as that of two female Amur leopard cubs at the San Diego Zoo on April 5 has zookeepers thrilled, while animal advocates working to save the reclusive species from extinction are heartened over their births.

“We are all very excited about the births of our two Amur leopard cubs,” Amy Roberts, senior curator of mammals for the Chicago Zoological Society, said in a statement. “It is our hope that guests will not only enjoy seeing these very charismatic cubs exploring and playing in their outdoor habitat, but will also gain an appreciation for the species and learn why conservation efforts are so important for this leopard.”

Amur leopards, which once roamed across northeastern Russia, parts of China and the Korean peninsula, are so critically endangered that the World Wildlife Fund describes the species as the world’s most rare big cat. Hunted by poachers for its luxurious and beautiful coat, its habitats destroyed by logging, farming and development, the number of Amur leopards remaining in the wild is estimated to be only in the dozens.

The Chicago Zoological Society says there are less than 65 left in the wild in the world, while separate estimates say there are 84 adult Amur leopards and 19 cubs inside a relatively new and massive preserve along the Russian-Chinese border, where the species is struggling to come back from the brink of extinction. Whatever the actual number may be, it’s still critically low, but up from a 2000 census that found just 30 of the big cats.

“Amur leopards are such beautiful animals, and sadly, critically endangered,” Becci May, tigers and Asian species regional manager for the WWF, said in a statement.

“I’ve been very fortunate to go into their forest habitats in Russia and China, and see some fantastic videos images, which provide insights into their worlds. The next few years are really critical for them. Together with governments and other organizations, I feel hopeful that we can help populations to increase as we look to the future.”

Across North America, there are 82 Amur leopards in 42 accredited zoos, according to Chicago Zoological Society. Society officials describe the birth of the two cubs at the Brookfield Zoo as “a crucial addition to the species population.”