Shut the front door!
You can now see the freakin adorable clouded leopard cubs that were born at the Nashville Zoo! Guests can see the two cubs through a viewing window at the HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center neonatal animal care room.
After their mother Niran gave birth, the Zoo's veterinary team removed the cubs to hand rear. The veterinary staff often hand raise clouded leopard cubs due to the common nature of this species to neglect their offspring, which was the case with Niran. Hand rearing also lowers animal stress for future hands-on care.
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These cubs, born on March 24, will be raised in the veterinary center until they are old enough to be paired with a future mate. This pairing is decided through the Clouded Leopard Species Survival Plan®.
Clouded leopards are listed as "vulnerable" and protected in most range countries although enforcement in many areas is weak. Precise data on clouded leopard population numbers in the wild is not known. The reduced number of pelts encountered at markets and reduced sightings of clouded leopards by people within its range suggest the species is in decline.
For more information about Nashville Zoo, visit nashvillezoo.org. The Nashville Zoo is open everyday except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.
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Have you ever taken the backstage tour? You can. Here's what Woody, Jim, and Savannah saw on theirs.