'It's still early days': Snow leopard gives birth marking momentous conservation milestone at Marwell Zoo
A snow leopard has given birth at a conservation zoo
Marwell’s snow leopard has given birth after arriving at the zoo last year as part of a conservation breeding programme.
The snow leopard arrived at Marwell on Thursday, February 27, 2025 after moving from The Big Cat Sanctuary, in Ashford, where she joined male snow leopard, Warjun, as part of the EAZA Ex-situ Breeding Programme (EEP).
The conservation programme, which is an initiative run by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, maintains populations for over 500 different species including the red-handed tamarin, grevy's zebra and the slender-horned gazelle.
In a statement on Marwell Zoo’s website, it said: “It’s still early days and the first week or two after a big cat birth is very high risk. We want to be sure the cubs and Zaya are doing ok before we announce anything more widely.
“The cub or cubs will still be very tiny and totally dependent on Zaya. They are not mobile yet and still might not have even opened their eyes.
“We’ll keep people updated on their progress and when they might be out and about, but please be patient as we will prioritise their welfare and needs.”
It will be several weeks before the cub/cubs will be big enough to leave the cubbing box, with the team of zookeepers taking a “hands-off approach” to try and replicate the birthing experience Zaya would have in the wild.
The statement added: “Zaya is being monitored via CCTV in the den but we don’t have cameras inside the cubbing box (where it would be quite dark anyway).
“Zaya’s side of the habitat is screened off for her privacy and to keep her as calm as possible. She has access outside but is currently choosing to stay close to the cubbing box inside the den.
“Our male snow leopard, Warjun, has been separated into the right-hand side of the habitat, and is still visible to visitors.”
The exciting news comes after Zahra, a white rhino who arrived at the zoo in 2021, gave birth to Amali on Mother’s Day.
More updates to follow.