In 2013 Central Park Zoo had a snow leopard (Panthera uncia) birth in 2013. The two cubs were the first snow leopard cubs ever born at the Central Park Zoo and the second snow leopard birth at a WCS zoo (Bronx Zoo) that year. The cubs at Central Park, a male and a female, born this summer, weighted about 1.3 kg but are expected to reach between 30-55 kg. The litter is the result of the successful pairing of, Zoe, the mother (7), with Askai (6), a male sent to the Central Park Zoo from the Bronx Zoo. Both adults are first-time parents. Snow leopards first arrived at the WCS Central Park Zoo in 2009. The snow leopard cub of the Bronx Zoo was sired by Leo - the snow leopard rescued as a young orphaned cub after it was found in the high mountains of northern Pakistan. The Central Park and Bronx Zoo snow leopards are a part of the Species Survival Plan - a cooperative breeding programme administered by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) designed to enhance the genetic diversity and demographic stability of animal populations in AZA-accredited zoos. Snow leopards are among the world's most endangered big cats. Their range is limited to remote mountains of Central Asia and parts of China, Mongolia, Russia, India and Bhutan.

(Source: WCS press release, 04.11.2013)