Baby animals are endowed with this mystical power to charm any human being that they make the best cheer-me-up when we feel that the world is at odds with us. So if you’re having a bad day today, scroll over these 10 cutest baby animals, some of which were born in captivity over the past year. Some of them even come from endangered and threatened species.
Bilby
Native to Australia, these marsupials are recently declining in population due to the presence of farm animals and predators like foxes and cats in their habitat. For the first time, though, they were breeded successfully in the Taronga Zoo in New South Wales. Two joeys were born in December 2014. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited to officially open the zoo’s new Bilby exhibit which was named for their son, Prince George.
Otters Pups
This year, three Oriental otter pups were born to the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, New South Wales. It’s the second pup for its mother Emiko and father Pocket. Oriental small-clawed otters live together in large families and remain together for longer periods.
Cloud Leopards
These incredibly cute babies are unfortunately affected by deforestation, poaching and the pet trade. Clouded leopards can be difficult to breed in captivity due to their reclusive disposition so when cubs were born at the Nashville Zoo last March, it made a historical mark for clouded leopards. Karen Rice, carnivore supervisor of the Nashville Zoo says, “Nashville Zoo is on the forefront of clouded leopard care and conservation. The births of these two cubs aid in our conservation efforts and benefits the long-term plan to create a sustainable captive of population.”
Endangered Baby Gorilla
This tiny baby gorilla reminds us of tiny human babes. Born in the Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, this endangered western lowland gorilla is the institution’s third sucessfull gorilla birth. The baby gorilla and its mother live on the Myombe Reserve habitat.
Rescued Orangutan
This poor little baby orangutan was found by the International Animal Rescue in Borneo in a chicken cage and surviving on condensed milk. He was seriously ill and neglected but was nursed back to health by a rescue team in Indonesia. After weeks of intensive medical treatment, Budi, as he was named, is walking and climbing again.
Ghost Bat
This ghost bat, which were named so because of their translucent wings, was born just before Halloween at Australia’s Taronga Zoo. Also known as a false vampire bat, they are the world’s largest microbes and Australia’s only bats who are carnivores. They feed on large bugs, frogs, birds, lizards and small animals. “Ghost Bats are particularly vulnerable to mining, which can threaten their maternity caves,” says keeper Wendy Gleen.
Margay Cat
This rare baby Margay cat was born in Uruguay last November. She is an adorable example of a near-threatened and highlt unusual species. Margay cats usually bear one kitten per litter, and the rest of their population due to habitat loss and forest conversions. One unusual characteristic of this feline is hunting in the treetops. It also has ankles that can turn up to 180 degrees, making it highly agile. Margay cats can also mimic the sounds of small animals to draw on its prey.
Baby Aardvark at Busch Gardens, Florida
Aardvarks look wrinkly and nearly bald but aardvark babies are awfully cute. This healthy baby was is the fourth baby born to its parents Izzy and Friz at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida.
Red Panda Cubs
This adorable red panda cub was one among four litters born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia. Only 7 cubs survived and this one is being taken extreme care of to increase its chances. Red Pandas are difficult to breed and calls for cautious conservation efforts.
Baby Hippo
Hippos can be quite terrifying once they reach adulthood but are awesomely cute as babies. The hippo on the pictures is a baby Dwarf Hippo at the Parken Zoo in Sweden. She weighed only 13 pounds at birth. Known more formally as pygmy hippopotamus, this species is native to the forests and swamps of West Africa. There are only 3,000 left of them in the wild.
