Recently, two leopards, one a snow leopard and the other a clouded leopard, have captured the hearts of many, including myself, each representing their fragile balance of life in the animal kingdom.
At the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a young snow leopard named Mera tragically passed away at just nine months old.
Mera had been showing signs of pain, prompting the zoo’s team to conduct a series of Medical tests. Unfortunately, exploratory surgery was needed in which they found severe abnormalities in her urinary system, which could not be surgically repaired. They made the heartbreaking decision to humanely euthanize her.
But hope still holds as the world watches the Nashville Zoo who recently celebrated the birth of a rare clouded leopard cub. Born on February 25th, this tiny feline is the 44th clouded leopard born at the zoo since 1991.
The cub, described is being Hand-reared to ensure its survival by a senior member of their veterinary team. A practice that has proved much success for breeding the leopards in their care.
You can vote to name this amazing little leopard here.
Although they are both leopards they are not the same. Snow leopards, often called the “ghosts of the mountains,” inhabit the rugged terrains of Central and South Asia. These leopards thrive at altitudes as high as 18,000 feet and are more closely related to lions, tigers and other leopards, whereas the cloud leopards, that dwell in the cloud forests of Southeast Asia (and are one of the most ancient cat species), are considered their own genus.
Both snow leopards and clouded leopards face significant threats in the wild. From both deforestation and hunting. And are considered vulnerable and rapidly heading towards extinction. These zoos above and others are stepping in to ensure their survival. I pray for both these species and all the others humanity continues to endanger…
Here’s a link to watch the beautiful clouded leopard at the Nashville Zoo..
Sasysquatchgirl 