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National Zoo Celebrates Birth of Rare Clouded LeopardsExplore more photos from the story |
Video Gallery
Feeding the Leopards
Caretakers feed the new baby clouded leopards at the Zoo's research facility in Virginia
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Breeding clouded leopards is not as simple as combining a male and a female. Male clouded leopards have a gruesome record of attacking, maiming and sometimes killing potential female partners. The attacks come without warning, and the results are often fatal. While they still don’t understand the reasons behind the attacks, Howard and her team have learned to reduce the risk. In fact, their efforts to understand and prevent male aggression are what led to this birth.
Most cat species will not breed if the male and female are raised together. But, providing further evidence that clouded leopards are like no other cat, raising a pair together seems to be the only thing that does work for this species. “We now know that introductions work best with very young males who are just six months old” explains Ken Lang, the Conservation and Research Center’s mammal unit supervisor. Historically, most of the attacks occurred when already mature males were introduced to potential partners. This aggression is much less common if future pairs are allowed to mature together.
Hannibal and Jao Chu were introduced in Thailand when they were about six months old. The two grew up together and arrived at the Front Royal center in February 2008. They are now the only compatible pair among the Conservation and Research Center’s 12 clouded leopards. Their cubs prove that the technique works, and the implications for breeding more clouded leopards are “huge,” says Howard.
The cubs’ genes may be their most valuable trait. There are only about 75 clouded leopards in North American’s captive population, and many of these animals are too old or too closely related to be successfully bred. The new cubs' parents, however, are only one or two generations removed from the wild, so they are likely to carry genes that are different from those in the North American clouded leopard population. With any luck, each of the new cubs will be paired with a future partner by the time they are six months old.
In fact, Howard is already thinking about potential partners for the cubs. The North American Clouded Leopard Species Survival Plan, which coordinates breeding among the captive population, makes pairing recommendations based on the genetics and pedigree of each cat. These two cubs, with their wild genes, will be in high demand.
In the meantime, Howard and her team are not slowing down. “We just keep going,” says Howard, who credits thirty-years of science-based clouded leopard research for this birth. “It takes science, it takes research to understand a difficult species like this.” In fact, the Smithsonian’s Conservation and Research Center has ambitious plans for a multi-million-dollar clouded leopard breeding and research facility. Once completed, the facility will be able to house ten pairs of clouded leopards. Perhaps one or both of Jao Chu’s cubs will eventually produce their own cubs here.
But the National Zoo may not have to wait nearly that long to celebrate their next clouded leopard birth. Last week, just as the Conservation and Research Center’s staff began to organize a 24-hour birth-watch for Jao Chu, the Zoo’s second clouded leopard pair was spotted mating. The two—Mook and Tai—have mated before, but have never produced cubs. Howard is hopeful this time, saying the interaction appeared to be successful and the female “seemed more relaxed” than in the past.
For now, Howard and her team remain focused on the cubs. “Getting through the first week will be big,” she says. “Getting through the second week will be bigger. Every day’s a milestone.”
Comments
As Director of Conservation, Research and Education, Zoological Park Organization of Thailand, I am so pleased hearing this good news. Dr. JoGayle Howard and our Zoo Consortium, worked so hard within Thailand and the U.S. to achieve this rare Clouded Leopard Conservation Breeding Program. We really hope the Clouded Leopards from Thailand will play the major role to make the survival plan in North America successfully. Clouded Leopard is not the wildlife belong to only South America or South East Asia, but they belong to our planet. Congratulation !!!
Posted by Sumate Kamolnorranath, D.V.M on March 28,2009 | 07:44PM
Congratulations on the baby Clouded Leopards!! They are some of the prettiest cats, and I'm so grateful you're working so hard to keep them around!
Posted by Lynn Hoffman on March 29,2009 | 09:43AM
I've never seen this species before. Are they only at the Smithsonian National Research Center, and in Thailand? Also does removing them from the mother do any harm to her? And can they grow larger than 30 to 50 pounds. And do you have any photos of full grown? If so I'd love to have them.
Posted by Mona Albano on March 29,2009 | 12:00PM
Congratulations to all of us! Thank you Smithsonian for your efforts to preserve this beautiful cat. I have seen adults and young in the Nashville Zoo and marveled at their grace, gorgeous coat and regal attitudes.
Posted by Virginia Carnahan on March 29,2009 | 12:42PM
How wonderful, such beautiful creatures, thanks to all involved!
Posted by Gerald O'Hearn on March 29,2009 | 01:49PM
Love on my face is evident in photo when they were first shown San Diego, so those at the Washington National Zoo are equally precious to me. Great work taking care of this beautiful species!
Posted by P K BENNETT on March 29,2009 | 06:05PM
Congratulations on the birth of these beautiful leopards. They add another touch of beauty to our world. Thank you so much for all your hard work to keep them from becoming extinct.
Posted by Becky Haywood on March 29,2009 | 06:18PM
I just watched the video of the feeding. Those babies have some horrendous claws - do you clip them?
Posted by Betsy Twining on March 29,2009 | 06:41PM
Congratulations to Dr. JoGayle Howard and her entire team for their tireless efforts in keeping these beautiful cats one step away from extinction. I saw a film of her working in Thailand and can only imagine her joy in seeing these two cubs alive and well. Without the incredible talent and skills of everyone at Rock Creek and Front Royal, our world would be in serious trouble. Thank you all.
Posted by Laura Reid on March 29,2009 | 07:13PM
What a wonderful event! Congratulations to all involved. Will the cubs be reintroduced to the National Zoo when they are a bit older or are there other plans for them?
Posted by Ann Losurdo on March 29,2009 | 07:42PM
This is indeed a wonderful occasion & thank you for the breeding program. However, I object to the handler's continued tapping of the kitten's head after feeding and his not allowing the kitten to relax with the nipple after the bottle was empty. Please use production crews that are cognizant of the animal's needs the next time you film.
Posted by Sandra on March 29,2009 | 11:04PM
I am feel very good that there people like Smithsonian care about those rare and beautiful cats
Posted by GHASSAN RAZZUQI on March 30,2009 | 12:24AM
These precious cubs are absolutely adorable!! What terrific news. By the way, Sandra, unless you are an expert in animal biology these cubs may need the necessary stimulation to digest and excrete waste. I'm sure the scientists at CRC know what they're doing.
Posted by Carla Landoza on March 30,2009 | 07:00AM
Congratulations on the birth of these beautiful cats. Keeping this endangered species going is so worth it. Well done!
Posted by Diane Rooney on March 30,2009 | 08:15AM
Congratulations! However, wouldn't it be better to leave the cubs with their mother? How great is the risk of harm if they are left with her, versus the risk of maternal deprivation to the cubs?
Posted by Francine Last on March 30,2009 | 11:22AM
It's interesting to see them with a different color. It's hard to tell where their faces are. I hope they'lll thrive.
Posted by Victress Jenkins on March 30,2009 | 07:35PM
Unfortunately,Francine, mothers of many animal species, who have killed or maimed their newborn offspring in the past will do it again and again. Better that they survive, even if they are imprinted to the humans that are caring for them. I feel sure that plans have been made to expose them to other cats and suitable habitat as soon as it is safe for them to do so.
Posted by Judy on March 30,2009 | 11:12PM
I was a little upset to learn that these cubs were taken from their mother on the fact that this species 'sometimes' harm their cubs. They could have at least kept one with the mother. I'm sure that the mother will be depressed now - any news on that from the Zoo ? And will there be any attempt to reunite cubs w/mother ?? Thank you.
Posted by Rebecca Cortese on March 31,2009 | 09:45AM
Awwwww they are sooo cute!!! I think that this zoo will do a great job. Thanks for the chance to see them up close!
Posted by Kylie on April 16,2009 | 03:19PM
they are so CUTE SOOOOO CUTE i am a 5 grade and current events is sooo cool!!
Posted by emma on April 16,2009 | 06:25PM
They look so cute and happy I feel bad they can't be with their mother, but they are lucky to be alive. I'm sure there in good hands right now. I'm in the 6th grade and i love that they were in the Current Events magazins. good luck with the Cubs.
Posted by Kendra.Darby on April 18,2009 | 06:38AM
Congrates!!!! On the Birth of the lepards.. they are soo cute i think the Zoo will do a Great job at keeping these baby lepard in great condition.
Posted by Rhain on April 22,2009 | 07:33AM
It's horrible that they were taken from their mother !!! She must be grieving!!! Why can't you at least give her the chance to be a good mom? What if she's excellent with them? That is really disgusting and I'm deeply disappointed. It would be easy enough to monitor her.
Posted by Caitlyn on April 22,2009 | 02:59PM
Good on ya!!! It's so wonderful so see the new little cloudys. My husband and I traveled from Wyoming to Tacoma, Washington just see the clouded leopards there and it was a wonderful experience.
Posted by Lynne Lucas on April 24,2009 | 02:49PM
AWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!they are so cute..they don't deserve to be threatened by extinction... Congrats on the cubs!I wish I could come see them...but I live in Michigan.
Posted by Avery on April 28,2009 | 02:23PM
poor creatures..they r so cute :( people who poach helpless animals are really sick, its not right. Its because of us those poor cats have been almost driven into extinction...
Posted by Me on May 4,2009 | 10:14AM
Congrats! So cool! these guys are tiny :)
Posted by Me2 on May 5,2009 | 06:16AM
What beautiful little creatures. Congrats. to all.
Posted by Roger Burns on May 19,2009 | 01:41PM
The Cubs are sooooooooooooo cute i will have to go see them this summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Shadow on May 26,2009 | 08:33AM
soooo cute
Posted by des on November 18,2009 | 08:46AM