A rare snow leopard cub has become the first to be born in one UK zoo’s 94-year history – with her exotic name chosen by visitors in honour of her natural Himalayan habitat. And Chester Zoo has finally shared images of the cub taking her first steps outside after their den cams showing her snuggling with her mum after birth went viral and captivated animal lovers around the globe.
Born to proud parents Nubra and Yashin, the 10-week-old female cub spent her early weeks snuggled away in a secluded den with mum. Now, for the first time, our images show her venturing out to explore the zoo’s Himalayan habitat with conservationists also unveiling her name – Bheri.
Her name’s a nod to the cub’s mountain origins, with ‘Bheri’ a river in Nepal that runs through the Himalayas – a fitting tribute to the rugged, high-altitude landscapes where snow leopards roam.
Rachael Boatwright, Assistant Team Manager of carnivores at Chester Zoo, said: “After several weeks of watching Nubra and her cub behind the scenes on our cameras, it’s just fantastic to see Nubra gently guide her precious cub into the outside world for the very first time.
“She is already so full of confidence and character as she playfully explores her new surroundings.
“Nubra is proving herself to be a wonderfully attentive first-time mum, staying close by and keeping a watchful eye as her cub explores further and further each day – it’s a real privilege.
“We were overwhelmed by the volume of name suggestions we received.
“In the end, we decided to honour the cub’s wild mountain roots, where our teams work closely with the Snow Leopard Trust to protect this species in the wild. We feel that, naming her Bheri is a fitting tribute to that important work.”
The cub is the first to be born at Chester Zoo, as part of the European endangered species breeding programme – a vital conservation initiative working to safeguard a healthy and genetically diverse population of the rare big cats in leading conservation zoos across the European continent.
Alongside its conservation breeding work, Chester Zoo is also helping to protect the species by working alongside the Snow Leopard Trust and communities in Kyrgyzstan to reduce human-wildlife conflict, protect vital habitats and support sustainable livelihoods that benefit both people and wildlife.
With as few as 4,000 snow leopards estimated to remain in the wild, the species is increasingly under threat from habitat loss, climate change, poaching and conflict with humans.
Often referred to as the “ghosts of the mountains”, they are known for their elusive nature and ability to thrive in some of the world’s harshest terrain.
* Chester Zoo is a world-leading conservation and education charity that’s committed to preventing extinction and dedicated to raising awareness of key conservation and environmental challenges.
The zoo’s 128-acre site in Chester, which is home to more 500 threatened species, is where this species-saving work is made possible.
As a not-for-profit, the zoo ploughs everything into its conservation mission, both here in the UK and around the world.
It works with more than 3,000 species globally, including 140 international animal conservation breeding programmes, which are ensuring the survival of species on the very brink of extinction. It’s also home to five national plant collections, comprising of more than 1,000 species.
