National Zoo Welcomes Rare Clouded Leopard Cubs

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is bursting with pride over its latest additions: two rare clouded leopards. The two yet-to-be-named baby leopards were born in late March at the zoo's research center in Front Royal, Va., a far cry from their native habitat in Southeast Asia. The species, hunted for skins and medicinal uses, is endangered. The zoo is trying to preserve the species, but has not been successful mating the animals. It's been nearly two decades since a birth at the zoo.

Little is known about the mating habits of clouded leopards because their natural habitat is thick jungle and few are observed in the wild. In captivity, the male will sometimes kill the female it is paired with, according to the National Zoo's JoGayle Howard, who has been studying the animals for decades.

"We really did want to see if we could prevent the male aggression, and what worked the best was to put 6-month-old cubs together and see if they would bond and grow up," says Howard. "And that really was the secret."

The cubs' parents, Hannibal and Jao Chu, were imported from Thailand and grew up together.

And in a stroke of luck, three other clouded leopards were born at the Nashville Zoo. Those cubs will be introduced to the two born at the National Zoo. Officials are hopeful they will mate.

Produced by Matt Martinez

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