Large queues built up at Chester Zoo over the weekend as members got their first glimpse of the snow leopards which have been making themselves at home in the new enclosure.
Previously we reported on the arrival of male leopard Yashin and female Nubra to a huge new Himalayan habitat for the species.
It’s the first time in the conservation charity’s 93-year history that its carnivore experts have ever cared for the highly threatened big cats.
And there was clearly big demand from the public to see the fascinating creatures up close, with the enclosure opening to members over the weekend, ahead of an official opening to the public on Monday, March 25.
Ian Fairbrother was among the large queues, reportedly waiting about two hours for a glimpse at Chester's most hotly anticipated new arrivals.
Having arrived from zoos in Europe after being carefully matched up as part of an important conservation breeding programme, conservationists say the snow leopard pair have ‘hit it off’ straight away and are hopeful that they’ll go on to have cubs in the future.
Mike Jordan, director of animals and plants at the zoo, said: “The arrival of snow leopards is a huge milestone in our zoo’s long history and signifies our commitment to protecting another of the world’s most threatened big cat species."
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