Amur leopard cubs make their public debut at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Brookfield, IL—There’s double the reason to roar with excitement at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Two Amur leopard cubs, the world’s rarest big cats, are now out and about for guests to see. Born on July 14 to first-time mom Mina (MEE-nuh), the playful sisters are exploring their outdoor habitat and ready to delight Zoo goers with their playful personalities.
Each day brings new adventures for the four-month-old sisters, who were spotted pouncing on each other in piles of leaves and climbing branches under Mina’s watchful eye. Amur leopards are agile and stealthy climbers, often resting on rocky ledges or in trees to keep watch for prey and stay hidden from potential threats.
“The cubs are bold, curious and love to climb, already getting comfortable on the upper rocks in their new habitat,” said Racquel Ardisana, associate director of carnivore care and conservation at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. “There are a lot of new sights, sounds and scents for them to take in. When one initially came to explore the habitat’s ground level, she hissed while pawing at the grass—a texture she’s seeing for the first time!”
Prior to their public debut today, the cubs have been growing, tumbling and pouncing behind the scenes under the care and close observation of the Zoo’s dedicated animal care staff. Their comfort and confidence with climbing new structures was an important development milestone to prepare them for today’s debut.
The cubs mark a rare and important addition to the species’ global population, which is believed to be less than 100 animals total in the wild. The cubs are the first litter for 6-year-old Mina and a significant milestone in the Zoo's ongoing efforts to help save one of the world’s most endangered big cats from extinction. This supports the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan working to maintain healthy and genetically diverse populations of threatened and endangered species in accredited facilities.
Native to the forests of eastern Russia, their ultra-thick coats and long tails help them stay warm in winter, making Chicago feel a lot like home. The cubs may be visible intermittently throughout the day this winter as they continue to explore and adjust to their new environment at the Zoo’s Big Cats Walkway, near the entrance to Desert’s Edge. During the Zoo’s upcoming evening hours for Holiday Magic, guests will have an opportunity to see the cubs’ father Sasha, who was born at Brookfield Zoo Chicago in 2020 and is known to hide amongst the habitat’s rocky facade.
The cubs are not yet named, but fans won’t have to wait long to find out—follow Brookfield Zoo Chicago on social media for the upcoming name reveal. In the meantime, guests and supporters can contribute to the ongoing care of Mina and her cubs through the Zoo’s Adopt an Animal program and Wildlife Conservation Fund. Donations help support critical conservation work at Brookfield Zoo Chicago and beyond.
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Media Note: B-roll and photos of the cubs in their new habitat, as well as soundbites about their development and debut, are available here for media purposes only with credit to “© Brookfield Zoo Chicago”. Journalists interested in capturing content and interviews should contact Zoo PR Director Julianne Olivo in advance at julianne.olivo@brookfieldzoo.org or 708-688-8351.
About Brookfield Zoo Chicago: Connect. Care. Conserve.
Since 1934, Brookfield Zoo Chicago has been a global leader in animal well-being and conservation, inspiring conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. The Zoo is a private nonprofit organization that operates on 235 acres of land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County and is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 species—including many of Earth’s most endangered. Brookfield Zoo Chicago was the first zoo in the world to be Humane Certified™ by the American Humane Society for the care and welfare of its animals, and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and ArbNet. For more information, visit www.brookfieldzoo.org or follow @BrookfieldZoo on Instagram, Facebook and Threads.
