AW! Oklahoma zoo announces birth of rare clouded leopard kitten

The 2-year-old female clouded leopard, Rukai, gave birth to a female kitten on Aug. 6

Updated: 12:26 PM EDT Aug 19, 2021

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden on Tuesday announced the birth of a rare clouded leopard kitten.According to the zoo, following approximately a 90-day gestation period, the 2-year-old female clouded leopard, Rukai, gave birth to a female kitten on Aug. 6, at the zoo’s Cat Forest habitat. Officials said this is the first successful birth of an offspring for Rukai and her mate, 2-year-old JD. Because this is such a significant birth, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan for clouded leopards recommended the zoo’s animal care experts hand-rear the kitten to ensure she thrives, officials said. Immediately following the kitten’s birth, the zoo’s carnivore caretakers stepped in and began caring for the little leopard. She was moved to a climate-controlled incubator to help regulate her body temperature and caretakers started round-the-clock bottle feedings of a specialty felid formula and continuous monitoring. Caretakers report the kitten is healthy and doing everything a newborn should be doing — eating, sleeping and growing. Additionally, her eyes are now fully open, according to the zoo. Clouded leopards are born with their eyes closed and begin to open them at two weeks of age. “The kitten appears very strong and healthy, and we are thrilled by the progress she’s making,” said Tyler Boyd, OKC Zoo’s curator of carnivores. “For myself and entire team, the opportunity to care for this offspring, who is incredibly valuable to the conservation of this critically vulnerable species, is a career highlight.”