Zookeepers spilled the secret on social media: snow leopard Yuki welcomed a new cub July 28.
Both mother and cub are doing well.
They’ll remain behind the scenes in their den while they bond and the cub grows stronger.
This is the second cub for Yuki.
Her first, Mera, had to be euthanized in March after veterinarians discovered an inoperable urinary tract issue causing pain.
Zookeepers say the birth is a big win for the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan to protect these vulnerable animals.
That’s a cooperative breeding program maintaining a healthy, genetically diverse population of captive snow leopards.
John Ball Zoo can now add one more to the approximately 137 snow leopards in 53 North American institutions.
See video of Yuki and the cub here.
