A fuzzy bundle of joy is delighting viewers in new footage out of England: the first snow leopard to be born at the Chester Zoo in its 94-year history. Hidden cameras offered a glimpse of the 6-week-old cub exploring its den with mom Nubra.
“It’s a truly historic moment and a real cause for celebration — not just for our teams here but also for the future of this magnificent species globally,” Dave Hall, team manager of carnivores, said in a news release.
He added that Nubra, who welcomed the youngster with mate Yashin on June 10, “has taken to motherhood brilliantly,” adding: “This is her first cub and she’s doing an exceptional job of caring for her little one — feeding regularly and staying snuggled away in a cosy, behind-the-scenes den, where the pair has been quietly bonding and getting to know one another.”
Snow leopards, nicknamed the “ghosts of the mountains,” are one of the world’s rarest big cats. They’re found in remote regions of Central Asia and the Himalayas, but only around 4,000 are estimated to remain in the wild. The species, currently classified as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, faces threats from habitat loss, climate change, and poaching.
Mom Nubra
“While this birth is a significant moment for snow leopard conservation, our work to help this species thrive extends far beyond our zoo,” noted Mayukh Chatterjee, regional field program manager for Asia. “We’re working alongside the Snow Leopard Trust and communities in countries like Kyrgyzstan to protect snow leopards in the wild, while also improving livelihoods for people who live alongside them.”
Nubra and Yashin, both age 3, were matched as part of an international conservation breeding program. Their new cub — whose sex will be confirmed at its first health checkup — is expected to venture out of the den soon, and will then enjoy the zoo’s Himalayan habitat with its parents.
Dad Yashin
Opened in May 2024, the habitat replicates Central Asia’s mountainous, rocky terrain and provides “the perfect setting for Nubra and Yashin to settle and start a family,” per the release.
“It’s just fantastic to see the cub growing stronger and more confident each day,” said Hall. “What’s really exciting is that it could decide to follow mum Nubra outside at any moment to start exploring the outside world.”
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