Cleveland Metroparks Zoo announces the birth of two Black-footed Cat kittens! The kittens, whose sex have yet to be determined, are healthy and doing well with mom, Godiva. They were born April 17 and currently are on exhibit in the nocturnal animal area of the Zoo’s Primate, Cat and Aquatics building.

The two kittens are the second litter for Godiva, 4, and her male breeding partner, Wyatt, also 4. Godiva’s first litter produced one kitten, a male, who is now part of a breeding pair at the Louisville Zoological Garden.

Photo credits: Jeanne DeBonis/Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Godiva and Wyatt were the first black-footed cats to be exhibited at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo when they arrived in 2009 from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo.

Wyatt is considered a genetically valuable animal whose genes and offspring are an important contribution to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for black-footed cats. There are about 18 accredited institutions in North America with black-footed cats.

Black-footed cats are the smallest of the African cats, with adults reaching about 3.5 pounds when fully grown. Their conservation status is listed as “vulnerable” in the wild. Black-footed cats are found in the grasslands and savannas of Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.