Amur leopard cubs at the Saint Louis Zoo

Two critically endangered Amur leopard cubs were born at the Saint Louis Zoo on April 21, 2022. The little females are the first cubs born at the Zoo since 2010 and their births are a significant contribution to the population of Amur leopards in North American zoos. This species is considered one of the most endangered cats in the world.

This is a video compilation from a den monitoring camera shows the mother and cubs in the maternity den at Big Cat Country from May 6-May 17, 2022

The cubs were named Anya (pronounced AH-na) and Irina (pronounced eye-REE-na), which mean "grace" and "peace," respectively, by the Zoo's Carnivore Care Team. This is the first litter for mother Dorothy, or Dot, age 4, and father Samson, also age 4.

Mother and cubs are doing well and will remain in their private, indoor maternity den inside Big Cat Country for the next few months to allow time for the cubs to grow large enough to safely navigate all of the obstacles in the outdoor habitat. Samson can be seen by Zoo guests in his habitat at Big Cat Country.