Romance Blossoms for Snow Leopards

Howletts Wild Animal Park near Canterbury is all set for Valentine’s Day this year and the animals are in the mood for romance.

Keepers have high hopes that the snow leopard pair, who were introduced to each other at the end of last year, will breed successfully as part of an ongoing breeding programme to ensure the continuation of the species.

Head of Section, Jim Vassie explains: ‘We introduced Ziva, our female, to Aksai, a male, in the latter part of 2011 and they appear to be getting on well but this is a slow process. Breeding programmes are vital in saving these beautiful cats, their numbers in the wild are in serious decline.’

Snow leopards inhabit the mountain ranges of Central Asia stretching from Northwest China to Tibet and the Himalayas.

The snow leopards’ fur acts as effective camouflage in the high mountains of Central Asia and the pale coat with dark blotches is perfectly adapted to the natural background of snow and rocks, during the summer months their colouring changes to a yellow grey.

The leopards’ fur is highly prized and pelts are considered a trophy. Poaching for the luxurious pelts continues to be a threat to the existence of this species.

Jim commented: ‘Hunting or poaching for their pelts is not the only reason that these cats are now listed on the IUCN Red List as Endangered, as humans encroach on the leopards habitat, loss of wild prey has forced the leopards to hunt domesticated livestock, bringing them into direct conflict with local communities.’

Visitors to the wild animal park during February half term will be able to see Ziva and Aksai and can take part in self guided trails and quizzes all centred on the romantic monthly theme – ‘Matters of the Heart.’