Nashville Zoo have announced the births of two clouded leopards born March 13 and March 18. The cubs, both female, are doing well and are being hand-raised together.
Due to the cat’s reclusive disposition, introducing clouded leopards to potential mates has been difficult, as male clouded leopards have been known to attack and kill potential female partners. To reduce these fatal attacks, the Zoo hand-raises cubs and introduces them to mates at a young age.
Since 2009, 26 clouded leopards have been raised by the Zoo’s animal care team and have gone on to zoos worldwide. This birth announcement comes on the heels of clouded leopards born at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo on March 7 and Zoo Miami on March 9. The fathers from both of these breeding pairs were born at Nashville Zoo.
Clouded leopards are considered vulnerable to extinction due to deforestation, poaching and the pet trade. As a founding member of the Thailand Clouded Leopard Consortium, Nashville Zoo works with organizations around the world to improve husbandry, breeding and genetic diversity for this dynamic species.
Nashville Zoo is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. Attracting more than 830,000 visitors annually, the Zoo is considered one of the top things to do in Nashville.
Karen Rice, carnivore supervisor said: “Nashville Zoo is on the forefront of clouded leopard care and conservation. The births of these two cubs aids in our conservation efforts and benefits the long-term plan to create a sustainable captive population.”
The cubs’ progress can followed on the Nashville Zoo website www.nashvillezoo.org.

Credit: Amiee Stubbs/Nashville Zoo/WENN.com

Where: Nashville , Tennessee
When: 02 Apr 2015
Credit: Amiee Stubbs/Nashville Zoo/WENN.com

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