Toronto Zoo says ‘friendly and determined’ snow leopard Jita is pregnant
TORONTO — The Toronto Zoo says Jita the “friendly and determined” two-year-old snow leopard is pregnant.
Jita was brought to the Toronto Zoo in January after she was identified as a suitable match for nine-year-old male Pemba, who zoo officials describe as playful and sensitive.
Zoo officials claim it was “love at first sight” – or smell – between the pair of snow leopards.
They say Jita’s birthing window is likely between May 6 and 27, but the size of her litter has not been confirmed.
In a news release, the zoo does say the pregnancy announcement comes with some caution.
It says Pemba has sired litters before but none of the cubs survived due to medical complications, plus first-time pregnancies can be hard for inexperienced snow leopard mothers, such as Jita.
“With this knowledge, the snow leopard care team is busy making preparations to ensure the best possible outcome regardless of the situation,” the news release said. “Ongoing ultrasounds will monitor her progress and we remain hopeful this pregnancy continues to go smoothly.”
The Toronto Zoo is part of a co-operative snow leopard breeding program among North American accredited zoos.
Snow leopards are considered a vulnerable species on the International United for Conservation of Nature list. They are found in the steep mountains ranges of central and south Asia, stretching from Russia to the Himalayas.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19, 2024.
The Canadian Press
News Related-
The best Walmart Cyber Monday deals 2023
-
Jordan Poole took time to showboat and got his shot blocked into the stratosphere
-
The Top Canadian REITs to Buy in November 2023
-
OpenAI’s board might have been dysfunctional–but they made the right choice. Their defeat shows that in the battle between AI profits and ethics, it’s no contest
-
Russia-Ukraine Drone Warfare Rages With Dozens Headed for Moscow, Amid Deadly Winter Storm
-
Trump tells appeals court that threats to judge and clerk in NY civil fraud trial do not justify gag order
-
Can Anyone Take Paxlovid for Covid? Doctors Explain.
-
Google this week will begin deleting inactive accounts. Here's how to save yours.
-
How John Tortorella's Culture Extends from the Philadelphia Flyers to the AHL Phantoms
-
Tri-Cities' hatcheries report best Coho return in years
-
Wild release Dean Evason of head coaching duties
-
Air New Zealand’s Cyber Monday Sale Has the 'Lowest Fares of 2023' to Auckland, Sydney, and More
-
NDP tells Liberals to sweeten the deal if pharmacare legislation is delayed
-
'1,000 contacts with a club': Tiger Woods breaks down his typical tournament prep to college kids in fascinating video