Endangered snow leopard born at animal sanctuary

An animal sanctuary has announced one of its rare snow leopards has given birth to a cub after months of dedicated work.

The cub, nicknamed Little Lady, was born at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent, on 10 May.

Her successful birth follows months of work by primary trainer Simon Jackaman, who built the trust necessary for mother Laila to voluntarily participate in ground-breaking ultrasound sessions.

Celebrity chef and charity ambassador Paul Hollywood said: "Laila has had a special place in my heart for many years and to see her become a mum for the fourth time is truly heart-warming."

Little Lady weighed 630g (1.4lb) at her first health check when she was five days old.

She is just the second female snow leopard to be born at the centre, after her sister Zaya in 2023.

Mother Laila has had three previous litters with breeding partner Yarko as part of the sanctuary's breeding programme.

Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list, with an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the wild.

They are predicted to lose 30% of their habitat because of climate change in the next 50 to 100 years and they also face threats from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.

"This birth is a testament to our commitment to the participation in the endangered species breeding programme and the conservation of this vulnerable species," said Cam Whitnall, managing director of The Big Cat Sanctuary.