14 DAY TRIAL // A couple of weeks ago, on March 14, a female clouded leopard at Denver Zoo in the United States delivered a set of twins. The feline, named Lisu, gave birth to the baby clouded leopards inside a secluded stall.
However, it failed to look after them, probably because it has never been a mother before and because it was hand-raised, which is why staff at Denver Zoo were left with no choice except intervene.
Zoo Borns reports that, presently, the two cubs are looked after by caretakers. Vets have examined them, and say that, even though their mother is not around, the baby clouded leopards are doing well.
One of the tiny felines is a female, and the other is a male, the same source informs. They have not yet been named, but it probably won't be long until keepers at Denver Zoo find suitable monikers for them.
The cubs are to remain hidden from curious gazes until they are confident and strong enough to be able to handle being at the center of attention. Thus, it will probably be several weeks until they finally make their public debut.
According to wildlife researchers, this species inhabits several regions from the Himalayan foothills through mainland Southeast Asia and into China. It is currently considered to be vulnerable, and conservationists fear that it might one day go extinct.
This is because there are quite a lot of people who hunt these felines for their pelts, and because others believe that their claws and teeth can be used for medicinal purposes.