The Brookfield Zoo unveiled two new additions to their Fragile Kingdom exhibit Wednesday.
Two snow leopards, 1-year-old Sarani and 1 1/2-year-old Sabu, arrived in mid-October but were under quarantine for a month at the zoo’s hospital.
Female Sarani came from a zoo in Idaho Falls, Ida., and male Sabu came from Cape May County Park Zoo in New Jersey.
Snow leopards are listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Zookeepers hope the two young cats will mate and have a healthy litter of cubs. The pairing was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan.
Currently, there are 144 snow leopards in 63 AZA zoos.
The Brookfield Zoo has exhibited snow leopards since 1936.
