The two zoos in the Northeast Ohio area are celebrating births this sunny season.
Akron Zoo
Two Snowy Owls
The Akron Zoo recently welcomed two snowy owl chicks. The owlets hatched on June 10 and are doing well under the care of their parents, the zoo’s adult snowy owl pair, Frost and Cirrus.
The sex of the owlets is unknown at this time. This is the fifth and sixth snowy owlets hatched at the Akron Zoo.
Snowy Owl Fact: Snowy owls are listed as vulnerable to extinction by IUCN Red List, with populations declining due to human conflict and climate change.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Amur Leopard
The cub was born just after midnight on July 1 to 5-year-old mom, Marta, and 4-year-old father, Sylas, at the Zoo’s Asian Highlands destination. This is the first birth of the species at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in its 144-year history and also the first Amur leopard born among Ohio zoos. One of the world’s rarest and most critically endangered species, fewer than 100 Amur leopards likely remain in the wild.
Amur Leopard Fact: Cubs start with just a 90-day gestation and they begin eating meat/solid foods at about 4-5 weeks old. However, they stay with their mother for 1.5 to 2 years to learn to hunt and survive.
Red Panda
This little one was born on June 21 to mother Poppy and father Willie. The cub is growing healthy and strong behind the scenes with care from Poppy and the zoo’s animal care team.
Red Panda Fact: Red pandas do not utilize just one nest box, they cycle through multiple nests, because moving around helps to avoid natural predators.