The birth of the new Snow Leopard cubs at Melbourne Zoo was amazing news for many of us regular zoo visitors. Melbourne Zoo hadn’t seen a Snow Leopard birth for over 20 years which means most of us had never come face to face with them before.
Snow Leopards
The cubs started venturing out with mum Meo a few weeks ago, and I got my first chance to witness the two babies this weekend. I lucked out - mum and babies were happy to be out in their enclosure for hours, choosing to rest in the best vantage point they could have chosen!
While the Zoo only recently(ish) said goodbye to our Tiger cubs, Snow Leopard cubs are a whole new experience. Considered the most elusive of the big cats, the rarity and mystery surrounding them gives them that certain edge that makes photographing them all the more satisfying. Reading about the lengths some photographers have gone to to photograph them in the wild is equally fascinating - many have tracked a Snow Leopard for weeks, never to even get a glimpse.
Snow Leopard
Melbourne Zoo is lucky enough to have had four Snow Leopards over the last few years. Sadly, 20 year old Gregor passed away this year, leaving Shimbu (about 19 years old) alone in her enclosure.
But it is the beautiful Meo who has been the subject of most of my Snow Leopard photography. Her youth, beauty and piercing eyes make her the most photogenic of the Snow Leopards.
Until now, because she has been usurped by her adorable offspring, the currently unamed pair that has photographers flocking to their enclosure and recording their every move.
I look forward to watching and photographing the pair as they grow.
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