Capturing the hearts of everyone at the Woodland Park Zoo since their birth in May 2009, newly named snow leopard cubs Gobi (male) and Batu (pronounced BAH-too a female cub) make perfect ambassadors for their wild cousins. These endangered but endearing cubs bring a sense of mischief and magic to the zoo which inspires children to be curious and adults to become aware.
“Visitors are truly connecting with the cubs, watching them venture into their exhibit, exploring new sights and smells,” said Dr. Lisa Dabek Woodland Park Zoo’s Director of Field Conservation. “That powerful connection is key, because these precious conservation ambassadors help us highlight the critical conservation efforts that are underway to protect one of the most endangered, elusive animals in the wild—the snow leopard.”
With as few as 3,500 estimated to be remaining in the wild, these cubs represent an important conservation milestone for Woodland Park Zoo and North American zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, helping to bolster the genetic diversity of this endangered species.
Woodland Park Zoo has a long history of caring for snow leopards and conserving them in the wild, since the zoo’s first snow leopards arrived in 1972 from the USSR. Under the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan (SSP), managed by AZA, 28 cubs have been born at the zoo and sent to zoos worldwide to help diversify the genetic pool of the managed population.
As part of Woodland Park Zoo’s partnership with field conservation projects around the world, the zoo partners with the Seattle-based Snow Leopard Trust. The Trust was created in 1981 by the late Woodland Park Zoo staff member Helen Freeman, the namesake of the mother of the cubs, Helen. Through innovative programs, effective partnerships and the latest science, the Snow Leopard Trust is saving these magnificent cats and improving the lives of people who live in the snow leopard countries of Central Asia.
Celebrate Christmas this year with….
A present that reflects your passion for the planet!
The Woodland Park Zoo Giving Catalog contains many examples of how your donation can be directed to support the zoo and its inhabitants.
Your gift can go directly to a specific part of the zoo, or you can tell us to apply it to the areas of greatest need.
A unique gift, handcrafted from the heart!
The Snow Leopard Trust has a wide range of colorful and cultural wares available through their online shop. From toys to t-shirts there is something for everyone. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that your purchase will help save the snow leopard by supporting the Trust’s various conservation projects and providing fair trade for the communities who rely on this valuable source of income.
