PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Zoo introduced a new snow leopard to visitors on Thursday. The Zoo is trying to set up Marcy, age 3, with an eligible male snow leopard — and there’s a lot riding on the love connection.
“She is here on a breeding recommendation by the Species Survival Plan,” said Maggie Morse, curator of carnivores and ungulates.
Morse says Marcy was brought to the Zoo so she could help save her species from extinction. Snow leopards are listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. There are only about 7,000 of the big cats left in the wild.
“So our job is to make her to fall in love with our male resident snow leopard, Yuki,” Morse explained.
The gate to an outdoor enclosure was opened, and Marcy made her gray-and-white way through as a crowd of people watched on the other side of some strong glass.
“We’ve been time-sharing their yard, so they can smell each other. To get used to each other. So this is her official public debut.”
Onyx Gonzales, a sixth grader from Parker Elementary in Trenton, New Jersey, looked on in wonder.
“It’s really cool, honestly,” he said. “It’s really big to be 3 years old. Her fur’s color is really cool, too.”
The Zoo debuted a white snow leopard zoo key in honor of Marcy's arrival at the Big Cat Falls exhibit. Available to members at the Family Deluxe level, the key is used to activate audio boxes stationed throughout the Zoo.
The Zoo is offering membership discounts through April 7.
Morse says big cats like Marcy and Yuki are a very important part of the Zoo’s collection — for a couple of reasons.
“One, to show everyone what a snow leopard is — because I don’t think anybody is going to the Himalayas anytime soon,” she said. “I know, at least, I’m not.
“And two, it shares the story of apex predators, resource sharing, and why we need to work in tandem — both humans and animals — so that we can share natural spaces together.”
The Zoo welcomed two litters of snow leopard cubs into the world, in 2011 and in 2013, through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ breeding program.
Facts about snow leopards
🐱 Snow leopards are found in the mountain ranges of central and south Asia, in countries including China, Russia and Afghanistan.
😼 The thick coat of grey-and-white fur, with black rosettes, serves as natural camouflage, earning them the nickname “ghost of the mountain.”
😻 Their extra-large front paws are about two- to three-times wider than an average adult human hand. They help prevent the cats from sinking into the snow.
😸 Long, heavy tails help with agility and balance while the snow leopard navigates rocky terrain. They often wrap their tails around themselves like a blanket while resting.
😽 Snow leopards weigh between 90 lbs. and 130 lbs. Males are larger than females.
😻 Breeding season is typically January through April. Gestation lasts around three months. There are typically two to three cubs in a litter.
😿 Major threats to snow leopards in the wild include conflict with humans and loss of habitat.
(Video courtesy of Philadelphia Zoo)