Baby Leopards Named @ Live Cam Working @ Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

The two new Amur Leopard Cubs, some of the rarest and most endangered cats in the world born at the Beardsley Zoo located on Noble Ave. in Bridgeport nine weeks ago are thriving. They are very important protection this species that are critically endangered with less than 100 in zoos around the world and 30 to 50 in the wild.  As a member of the Accredited Zoo Asscoationthe Beardsley Zoo plays an integral part in making sure endangered species survive and thrive and are here for generations.

 Within the first 24 hours, these rare cubs had to be taken away from their first-time mother because she was over grooming them with her rough tongue.  Due to mon's zealous overgrooming the black female leopard cub had to undergo emergency surgery for her tail.

Dedicated and professional zoo "moms and dads" keep an eye on the cubs 24/7 and are responsible for feeding them, monitoring their health and making sure they have plenty of fun things to play with. Zoo staff affectionately called leopard moms and leopard dads watch the Cubs 24/7, clean up after them. track their health, and feed them six times a day.   They also monitor their growth and weight and food intake as they weaned.   Without the professional and dedicated staff, the world might have lost these rare creatures.

In keeping with Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo tradition, hand-reared baby animal names are chosen by their professional care staff, recognizing the depth of the round-the-clock, seven-day-a-week commitment required for newborn care.

Here's why the names were chosen:

Orion was a hunter in Greek mythology, a perfect fit for an Amur leopard, an apex predator who hunts for survival. One of the most conspicuous constellations in the night sky, the trio of stars’ widespread recognition fits an endangered leopard whose role as an ambassador for his species assures his own recognition. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythology, Orion is known as the “swordsman of the sky.”

Kallisto is another well-known constellation, more frequently referred to as Ursa Major. In Greek mythology, Kallisto was a nymph, a divine spirit who maintains nature for the environments where they make their homes. The origin of the name in Greek means “most beautiful,” a tribute to the female Amur cub’s striking appearance due to her melanistic coat color, an extremely rare black color variant.

The cubs won't be out for public viewing for about six weeks in the meantime, the zoo has set up a Leopard Cam that operates from 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.  It is a true joy to watch them play.