Everything is looking good for the snow leopards. The female is showing sure signs of being pregnant and has even started spending an increased amount of time by the nest box.
Since several mating sessions were witnessed and probably lots more that escaped a watchful eye, it is very difficult to predict a birth date.
So provisions have been put in place; the male and female have been separated and the snow leopard house containing the nest box has been sectioned off from the public and the windows blacked out. The number of staff allowed near the snow leopards has been reduced down to just core staff.
This way if the female snow leopard does give birth she will have privacy and be undisturbed, with zero chance of the male snow leopard killing the cubs.
Although there is no known case of male snow leopards killing the cubs, many feline species do, so it's better to be over-cautious than sorry.
However the male is pining for his lady, which is so sweet. She, however, does not seem that bothered by their separation.
If she does have cubs it will be a very delicate time as she would be a new mother and we as keepers have no means of helping or directing her. So we just have to hope it all comes naturally to her.
If cubs are born it will be months before they would be on show as they develop fairly slowly, usually about two or three months before they start venturing outside and four months before they are weaned off the mother's milk.
Fingers crossed!
By Vicky Venton
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