- Title: JAPAN: New born snow leopard makes its debut in Tokyo zoo
- Date: 7th September 2009
- Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (SEPTEMBER 4, 2009) (REUTERS) KINDERGARTEN PUPILS WALKING INTO TAMA ZOO
- Embargoed: 22nd September 2009 17:45
- Keywords:
- Location: Japan
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Nature / Environment
- Reuters ID: LVA66MUP7D5UDWN5X24AR9ZRK3TB
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: A newly born snow leopard named "Yukichi" (pronounced You-kee-chee) made its debut to the Japanese public on Friday (September 4) at Tama zoo on the outskirts of Tokyo.
The cub, weighing less than a kilogram when it was born two months ago, has now grown nearly five times heavier and was deemed by the zoo organisers to be ready to its first public appearance.
But the tiny feline paid no attention to cameramen and visitors gathered outside the enclosure to take pictures as it frolicked and tumbled around his mother.
"We are very lucky to see this cute little cub today," said Rei Ohkoshi, a 31-year-old visitor who brought her one-year-old son Tamaki. "It's tiny small... tiny small," said one-year old Tamaki still cuddled in his mom's arms.
Some in the crowds had come especially for the baby snow leopard.
"I've heard about the newly born snow leopard cub few days ago and took a day-off just to see the cute animal," said Mitsuko Aoki.
The baby leopard was named after one of the founders of modern Japan.
At the same time, the "Yuki" in its name also means "snow" in Japanese means "snow."
Aiko Sasaki, the snow leopards' caretaker at Tama zoo, said the cub was at its cutest right now while its eyes were still baby blue.
"Snow leopards' eyes are blue until 4 months after their birth before they turn to yellow. So, right now is the best time to see the charming blue eyes of the cub," said Sasaki.
The snow leopards' unique look serve a practical purpose in their natural habit of the cold mountain ranges of Central Asia.
Unlike other big cats found in jungles or tropical regions, snow leopards have stocky bodies with short legs and stubby ears to minimize heat loss in the cold weather.
But with the short legs, wild snow leopards can leap can as high as 14 meters (46 ft) from ambush.
Their feet are also wide to distribute body weight while they walk on snow.
When fully grown up, the cubs weight up to 55 kilograms (120 lb) with body length ranges up to 130 centimetres (50 in).
Their signature long tails grow nearly the same length of their body.
Snow leopards normally give birth to two to three cubs after over three-month of gestation period. The newly born cub will be taken care of by his mom for another 20 months or so until the carnivores become able to hunt prey by himself. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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