The Newest, Cutest Baby Animals from the World's Zoos & Aquariums

Let It Snow! (Leopards, That Is)

Posted in ,

ZooZurich_SnowLeopards_Peter Bolliger_6

Eight-month-old Snow Leopard twins, ‘Okara’ and ‘Orya’, are practicing their big cat skills, at Zoo Zurich.

ZooZurich_SnowLeopards_Peter Bolliger_2

ZooZurich_SnowLeopards_Peter Bolliger_5

ZooZurich_SnowLeopards_Peter Bolliger_4Photo Credits: Zoo Zurich/ Peter Bolliger (Images 1,2,3,4,11,12) ; Emmanuel Keller (Images 5,6,7,8,9,10)

The sisters are also quite skillful at testing the patience and fortitude of 14-year-old mom, ‘Dshamilja’, and 11-year-old father, ‘Villy’.

The Snow Leopard is native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. It is currently listed as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. As of 2003, there were only estimated to be a global population of 4,080 to 6,590 adults, of which fewer than 2,500 may reproduce in the wild. There are approximately 600 Snow Leopards in zoos around the world.

**You can see more of Emmanuel Keller's amazing photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tambako/

More pics below the fold!

  ZooZurich_SnowLeopards_Emmanuel Keller_1

ZooZurich_SnowLeopards_Emmanuel Keller_2

ZooZurich_SnowLeopards_Emmanuel Keller_3

ZooZurich_SnowLeopards_Emmanuel Keller_4

ZooZurich_SnowLeopards_Emmanuel Keller_5

ZooZurich_SnowLeopards_Emmanuel Keller_6

ZooZurich_SnowLeopards_Peter Bolliger_1

ZooZurich_SnowLeopards_Peter Bolliger_3

 

8 responses to “Let It Snow! (Leopards, That Is)”

  1. Audrey Steinfeld Avatar
    Audrey Steinfeld

    Majestic and strikingly beautiful snow leopards.

    Reply
  2. unci Avatar
    unci

    Dshamilja was injured in the wild, losing the toes on one hindpaw, so it was decided to bring her to Zürich where she was married with zoo born Villy. Both are excellent parents and had (as far as I know) cubs for the sixth time now. An amazing success. It is assumed that due to menopause they likely won’t have any more.

    Reply
  3. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    These must be some of the best photos I’ve ever seen on Zooborns.
    Stunning what beautiful moments are captured.

    Reply
  4. Cynthia Avatar
    Cynthia

    That is one gorgeous family!

    Reply
  5. Sharon Avatar
    Sharon

    Thank you for this information. I can see that now as I look more closely at the pictures of mom reclining. Well she has certainly done her part to continue her species. I consider snow leopards to be the most beautiful of all the big cats.

    Reply
  6. leslie (crookedstamper) Avatar
    leslie (crookedstamper)

    What gorgeous creatures!

    Reply
  7. joyce Avatar
    joyce

    I agree Mike. The lighting and the mid-air shots are outstanding. This is one great wildlife photographer!

    Reply
  8. Clairemcbey@hotmail.com Avatar
    Clairemcbey@hotmail.com

    I so want this as a calendar. Any chances you are making something like that? Pictures are to die for.
    If selling the pics can you let me know prices.
    Best creatures on earth.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Discover more from ZooBorns

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading