Zoo shows Rare Persian leopard triplets
The Associated Press
08/15/2007 04:42:28 AM PDT
BUDAPEST, Hungary – -Persian leopard triplets born in June were
presented Tuesday at the Budapest Zoo. The cubs – -a male and two
females – -were born at the zoo on June 19 and are doing well, said
zoo spokesman Zoltan Hanga.
The Persian leopard is the largest of the leopard subspecies and is
native to Western Asian countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan and
Armenia.
The leopard is endangered, however, with less than 2,000 thought to be
living in the wild. An additional 74 leopards live in zoos.
The cubs born in Hungary – -sisters Bella and Bara and brother Bahar-
– are part of a breeding program of the European Association of Zoos
and Aquaria.
Their parents – -father Nadir and mother Cezi – -arrived at the
Budapest Zoo in mid-2003. Their first offspring, Asszir was born June
6, 2005, and is now at the Jerusalem Zoo.
The three cubs will stay in Budapest for about a year, when they will
be transferred to other zoos around the world.
_6628284?nclick_check=1