First snow leopard cubs in four years born at Highland Wildlife Park in Cairngorms

Two snow leopard cubs have been born at Highland Wildlife Park for the first time in four years.

The twins were born on May 25 to first-time mum Pari and dad Koshi after keepers spent months “carefully introducing” the pair.

Animal conservation charity the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland said the litter will remain in the park’s snow leopard den for a few weeks before starting to appear at the entrance, where they will continue to live and learn alongside their mother for up to two years.

Lucy Petrie, animal care manager at Highland Wildlife Park, said: “We are really looking forward to our visitors meeting them as they grow and take their first steps outside of the den in the next few weeks.”

Snow leopard cubs are born blind and typically do not open their eyes until about a week after birth.

For the first two months of their lives they rely entirely on their mother’s milk, only beginning to eat meat as they grow stronger and more developed.

Ms Petrie added: “Pari is a first-time mum, so we are keeping a close eye on how she is coping. Her instincts have kicked in and she is doing a wonderful job of raising the cubs.”

Snow leopards are solitary by nature with mothers taking sole responsibility for raising offspring.

To mimic this natural behaviour, keepers have dad Koshi living separately from Pari and the litter until they reach an age where they’ll be ready to meet.

The sex of the new arrivals is not yet known and will be confirmed by the charity’s vets during their first health check.

Ms Petrie said: “While the cuteness is an excellent reason to be excited, it’s even better for the snow leopard population, which is decreasing in the wild.

“These new faces are going to be great ambassadors for their wild relatives, helping raise awareness of the challenges this beautiful and enigmatic species face every day.”