A snow leopard cub was born over the weekend at Rochester’s
Seneca Park Zoo, and he’s said to be making
“good progress,” according to Monroe County Executive Adam Bello.
The cub has not yet been named.
News10NBC
reports that he is being hand-raised.
While usually a last resort, the decision was made after considering Timila's
(his mother’s) behavior and the cub's welfare, said Dr. Louis DiVincenti, the
zoo's Director of Animal Health.
“Although Timila gave birth in her nest box and appeared to
be caring for the cub in the morning, it became clear that animal care staff
needed to intervene at the end of the day. When the cub was examined, he was
hypothermic and dehydrated, so the difficult decision to hand raise him was
made,” said Zoo Director Steve Lacy.
According to
News10NBC, this is Timila’s second litter with
10-year-old leopard male Kaba.
Snow leopards are listed as a vulnerable species, which is
one designation below endangered.