A critically endangered Amur leopard cub born September 8 at Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend is receiving around-the-clock care after his mother was unable to raise him.
The male cub was born to Anastasia and Mango, marking Anastasia’s first time becoming a mother.
According to the zoo, Anastasia initially showed some mothering instincts but did not provide the feeding and care her cub needed. Staff made several attempts to reunite the two, but those efforts were unsuccessful.
Zoo animal care management and veterinary staff ultimately decided to hand-raise the cub.
Although hand-raising comes with risks, the zoo says the young leopard appears to be growing healthy and strong thanks to dedicated around-the-clock care from its staff.
The birth is particularly significant because Amur leopards are critically endangered. According to Potawatomi Zoo, approximately 100 remain in the wild, with another 200 living in zoos worldwide.
Potawatomi Zoo participates in the Species Survival Plan for Amur leopards, which works toward maintaining a sustainable population of the species.
With so few Amur leopards remaining, each birth is an important part of conservation efforts and offers hope for the species’ future.