You could help choose the name of one of three endangered snow leopard cubs that have taken their first steps at their new home at Marwell Zoo.
The snow leopards at Marwell Zoo (pic by Jason Brown)
The 12-week-old triplets have been enjoying exploring their surroundings, climbing rocks, play fighting and chasing their mother.
The baby leopards, two male and one female, were born in April and have been closely monitored by Marwell’s animal keepers.
The female cub has been named Animesh – which means ‘bright’ and ‘to stare open eyed’ in Nepalese – while one of the male cubs was given the name Ariun, which means ‘pure’ in Mongolian.
Zoo keepers have urged the public and visitors to the popular zoo to submit ideas for names on their website.
A favourite shortlist of names will be picked by the zoo’s keepers and the public can decide which is their preferred name. The prize is an exclusive behind the scenes experience at the snow leopard home.
Marc Fox, Team Leader of carnivores said: “It’s really good to see the cubs out and about and they have already developed their own personalities. It will be interesting to see if they come out of their shell more now they have a larger space.
“To have three cubs is really rare because leopard cats would normally only have one or maybe two cubs.”
For more details and to enter a name visit www.marwell.org.uk/cubs.