Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Expecting Clouded Leopard Cubs

04/20/2015 

Posted by SouthSoundTalk Editor

Submitted by Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Chai Li, a 6-year-old clouded leopard at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, is pregnant with at least two cubs

At least two endangered clouded leopard cubs are expected in the Asian Forest Sanctuary area at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in a few weeks. Next month could be Mothers’ May at the zoo in more than one regard.

An ultrasound confirmed the pregnancy in 6-year-old clouded leopard Chai Li (pronounced Chai-lye), who has given birth to five cubs in three previous litters, zoo General Curator Karen Goodrowe Beck said. Six-year-old Nah Fun (pronounced Nah-foon) is the father. The cubs are due around May 12. Mother’s Day is May 10.

Clouded leopards are listed as endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium participates in Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan managed breeding programs for clouded leopards; the zoo has breeding recommendations for this species. “We are delighted at the prospect of adding to the populations and genetic diversity of this animal species,” Goodrowe Beck said.

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