Gender reveal after snow leopard cubs 'capture hearts' at Highland Wildlife Park

Three snow leopard cubs which “captured hearts” at a Scottish wildlife park have been revealed to be two girls and a boy.

Keepers at the Highland Wildlife Park confirmed the genders of the eight-week-old cubs during their first routine health check, said the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.

The trio of tiny new arrivals were born to mum Animesh and first-time dad Koshi on May 28, and are due to be named soon.

The trio of cubs are all 'in good health' and spending time with mum Animesh. — The trio of cubs are all ‘in good health’ and spending time with mum Animesh. RZSS

The cubs remain dependent on their mum and are spending much of their time in the cubbing den.

“It is very exciting to find out we have two little girls and a boy and that all three cubs are in good health,” said Keith Gilchrist, living collections manager at Highland Wildlife Park.

The eight-week old cubs will be named soon. RZSS

“They are already becoming more confident every day and it is incredible to see them grow and develop. Some lucky visitors have already been able to spot them as they have started to explore further from the cubbing den.”

In the wild, snow leopards can be found in the remote mountainous areas of central Asia.

Now protected throughout much of their native range, snow leopard populations are still threatened due to a decline in available prey and human conflict.

The babies received their first health checks. RZSS

Mr Gilchrist continued: “Like all the animals in our care, our snow leopards play an important role in attracting and engaging thousands of visitors each year so they can learn about the threats animals face in the wild and the action they can take to help.

“Their power to connect people with nature and encourage behaviour change is invaluable.

“It has been a fantastic year of births here at the park with our three tiger cubs recently turning one and Brodie, our adorable polar bear cub, continuing to capture the hearts of our visitors.

“Now with the addition of our trio of snow leopard cubs, we can’t think of a better way to celebrate the park’s 50th year.”