Rare Northern Chinese Leopard Cub Born at Debrecen Zoo
The Debrecen Zoo in eastern Hungary is celebrating the birth of a North Chinese leopard cub on November 21, 2023. The cub is the first offspring born to Coolio and Jilin since they were introduced to each other in autumn 2022. The zoo has invited members of the public to help name the cub through a poll on their Facebook page. Weighing 3,100 grams, the female cub has been thriving and can now be spotted in the afternoons as she gets more familiar with the winter environment.
The Debrecen Zoo has been a safe haven for North Chinese leopards for two decades, with its late breeding pair, Szépfiú and Tschunja, having contributed to the growth of the European zoo population four times. Keepers at the zoo have shared some interesting stories about the leopards, such as how a female dog became a wet nurse to a cub born in 2009. Coolio, the cub’s father, is part of a genetically valuable bloodline, with his grandfather being the first Debrecen-born North Chinese leopard in Ree Park Safari, Denmark.
North Chinese leopards are one of the northernmost leopard subspecies, known for their larger size and denser fur. Although they primarily feed on larger prey such as wild boar and deer, they occasionally prey on birds and rodents as well. With their population at risk due to habitat fragmentation and poaching, North Chinese leopards are classified as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. There are now only an estimated 300 individuals in the wild, making the population in zoos around the world critical for conservation efforts.
In addition to the Debrecen Zoo, the Sóstó Zoo in Nyíregyháza, eastern Hungary, also welcomed North Chinese leopard cubs last year. The triplets were born in the summer and are part of the European Endangered Species Programs. The parents of the cubs have been a pair since the summer of 2022, with the male and female coming from Germany and France, respectively.
The birth of the North Chinese leopard cub is an important milestone for the Debrecen Zoo and the global conservation efforts for this endangered species. Members of the public are encouraged to visit the zoo and catch a glimpse of the new addition to the family.
