First snow leopard cub born at Chester Zoo captured on hidden cameras
Chester Zoo has revealed the birth of its first ever snow leopard cub.
The cub was born on Tuesday 10 June 2025 to first-time parents Nubra and Yashin, both three years old.
Since the birth, the mother and cub have been cared for in a quiet den.
Zoo staff have been monitoring them with hidden cameras, capturing early moments as the cub grows.
“Our carnivore experts say Nubra is showing brilliant maternal instincts, nursing every few hours and staying close, only leaving briefly to feed,” the zoo said.
Now six weeks old, the cub is growing in strength and confidence and may take its first steps outside the den soon.
Nubra and Yashin were paired in 2024 as part of an international conservation breeding programme aimed at safeguarding the species.
“This is the first snow leopard cub to be born at Chester Zoo. It’s a truly historic moment and a real cause for celebration – not just for our teams here but also for the future of this magnificent species globally,” said Dr Nick Davis, Mammals General Manager.
Snow leopards are classified as Vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with as few as 4,000 individuals remaining in the wild.
Nicknamed the “ghosts of the mountains,” these elusive big cats live in the rugged high-altitude regions of Central Asia and the Himalayas. They face threats from habitat loss, climate change, illegal hunting, and human conflict.
Dr Mayukh Chatterjee, Regional Field Programme Manager for Asia, said:
“While this birth is a significant moment for snow leopard conservation, our work extends far beyond the zoo. We’re working alongside The Snow Leopard Trust and communities in countries like Kyrgyzstan to protect snow leopards in the wild, while also improving livelihoods for people who live alongside them.
“By developing sustainable, snow leopard-friendly alternatives to livestock farming, we’re reducing retaliatory killings, one of their main threats, and promoting peaceful coexistence. This approach has succeeded in other parts of the world, and we’re confident it can bring positive change for both people and snow leopards.
“The birth of a cub here in Chester, alongside our conservation work in the wild, is a powerful symbol of what we can achieve together to help these iconic big cats thrive long into the future.”
The cub’s birth follows the opening of Chester Zoo’s Himalayan habitat in May 2024.
The enclosure recreates the mountainous terrain of Central Asia using more than 600 tonnes of scree and stone, providing a natural environment for Nubra and Yashin to settle and raise a family.
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