Zoo Says Goodbye to Two Clouded Leopard Cubs

The Point Defiance Zoo is saying good by to two of their four clouded leopard cubs today. Taji and Lisu will be moving to the Denver Zoo, where zookeepers are hoping they’ll start a family of their own. Taji was one of the two adorable bundles of fluff born last summer. He and Lisu are two of a very small number of the clouded leopards in US zoos; only three zoos in the country breed the endangered animals. Clouded leopards in the wild have seen their numbers dwindle due in large part to clear-cutting of their native Indonesian forest habitat.

Although we’ll miss Taji and Lisu, moving them to the Denver Zoo will mean that even more visitors have the opportunity to see the animals, and, as zookeepers hope, become inspired to help save them in the wild. Taji’s sister Sumalee, also born last summer, remains on exhibit in the cub den with her match, Sabah. Hopefully one day soon we’ll see some more little cubs from those two.

For more on Taji and Sumali, and another cute picture, read our previous story on the clouded leopard cubs.

Little kittens, growing up.