Incredibly rare Amur leopard cubs – one of the most endangered species in the world – are born at British zoo
Twycross shows off baby leopards to the public
ONE of the most endangered species of big cat in the world has given birth to two cubs - and in a British Zoo.
It is believed there are only 70 Amur leopards left in the wild - with Twycross Zoo saying the new arrivals could help ensure the long-term survival of the species.
The birth of the cubs five weeks ago to parents Kristen and Davidoff was captured on camera - with the cubs already making an appearance in public at the Leicestershire zoo.
Director of life sciences Dr Charlotte Macdonald said: "Amur leopards are so precious - there are so few left in the world.
"Every birth in captivity is really important, so to have two born this year is fantastic news, both for us and the global population."
When the zoo discovered Kristen was pregnant, CCTV cameras were set up in her den to keep an eye on her until both she and the cubs were ready to venture out.
Dr Macdonald said: "Seeing them on camera, that first morning coming in and checking the CCTV footage and seeing that she had given birth during the night was just amazing. That's why we're here.
"We work very hard and this is what it's all about - that we can breed critically endangered animals that will in the future contribute to ensuring that this species survives on the planet."
She added that the zoo will not know what sex the cubs are until vets give them vaccinations in the coming weeks.
The cubs will stay at Twycross for at least 18 months before being transferred to another zoo to go on and have cubs of their own.
Amur leopards are native to forests in the far east of Russia and can live for up to 20 years, with 200 living in captivity across the world.
Their numbers have been dwindling in the wild due to illegal poaching for their fur, as well as the loss of natural habitat and diseases.
The cubs are the second set of arrivals for Kristen and Davidoff, after the births of Arina and Alexei in 2014.
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