With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
Snow leopard cubs unveiled at Los Angeles Zoo
Two endangered snow leopard cubs made their debut at the Los Angeles Zoo on Sept. 12, 2017. The pair were born in May but have been raised behind the scenes in order to gain strength and bond with their mother.
(
Tad Motoyama/LA Zoo
)
(
Jamie Pham/LA Zoo
)
(
Jamie Pham/LA Zoo
)
(
Jamie Pham/LA Zoo
)
(
Tad Motoyama/LA Zoo
)
(
Jamie Pham/LA Zoo
)
Two new black and white endangered snow leopard cubs bounded into the public eye Tuesday with their debut at the Los Angeles Zoo.
The cubs were born in May but have spent the last four months growing behind the scenes as they bonded with their mother and gained enough strength to navigate their outdoor habitat, according to a news release from the zoo.
Their parents are Georgina and Fred, a pair of adult snow leopards that were paired together in 2015 as a part of a program that seeks to help ensure the survival of certain endangered species.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqKJI1Zssq4&feature=youtu.be
Support for LAist comes from
"There is less known about these beautiful cats than most of the other large cat species due to the extreme habitat snow leopards have evolved to live in the wild," animal keeper Stephanie Zielinski said in a statement.
Snow leopards are large cats native to Central Asia's mountains, according to the World Wildlife Fund. They are found naturally in 12 countries, including China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Russia.
The greatest short-term threat they face is hunting and retaliatory killing by humans whose livestock they have killed for survival. In the long-term, climate change's impact on their snowy habitats pose the greatest risk.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent. -
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures.
Best of LAist