Clouded Leopard cubs are the "purrfect" addition to the San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo received a special delivery this week all the way from the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere - two adorable 14-week-old clouded leopard cubs! The cubs made their debut in the Children's Zoo Neonatal Assisted Care Unit and can be seen here daily for the next 30 days while in quarantine. The clouded leopard brothers are part of a very successful breeding program, which is helping to increase the population of this critically endangered animal.

Clouded leopard cub Riki-san

Photo taken on December 6, 2012, by Ken Bohn, San Diego Zoo, ZSSD 2012 ©

According to San Diego Zoo zookeepers, Thirteen-pound Riki-san is the larger of the two cats but also the more timed one. His coat pattern is darker and his rosettes are more pronounced.
Haui-san weighs 11.5 pounds, is feisty and quite playful, enticing is bigger brother to wrestle and play a game of chase.

Clouded leopard cub Haui-san

Photo taken on December 6, 2012, by Ken Bohn, San Diego Zoo, ZSSD 2012 ©

Although we have not seen the clouded leopard cubs yet, I can guarantee that our first stop next week will be at the Children's Zoo Neonatal Assisted Care Unit to welcome Riki-san and Haui-san. To find out more about the critically endangered clouded leopard, visit the zoos website.

After the quarantine period, the two cubs will join the San Diego Zoo's Backstage Pass animal ambassador program, but until then you can see them in the nursery. As you will see in this video provided by the San Diego Zoo, Riki-san and Haui-san seem very happy in their new home.

Watch as they pounce, climb, and play with each other in the nursery. If this video doesn't make you smile, then I don't know what will.

The San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy is dedicated to bringing endangered species back from the brink of extinction. The work of the Conservancy includes onsite wildlife conservation efforts at the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, and international field programs in more than 35 countries.