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BROOKFIELD, Ill. (CBS) — There is a new addition at Brookfield Zoo this holiday season.
As WBBM Newsradio’s Michele Fiore reports, a couple of young snow leopards may add some smiles to the faces of visitors this winter.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Michele Fiore reports
One-year-old Sarani, a female, comes to Brookfield Zoo from one in Idaho Falls. Her mate, 1 1/2-year-old Sabu, a male, joins Brookfield from Cape May County Park Zoo in New Jersey.
They were paired together based on the recommendation of the Snow Leopard Survival Plan put out by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The plan seeks to manage the breeding of species to maintain a healthy, self-sustaining population.
Sabu will not be mature for at least another year, but the plan is for Sarani and Sabu to mate and produce a litter of healthy cubs, the zoo says.
The medium-sized snow leopards were both brought to Brookfield Zoo in October.
Both have already gone through the required 30-day quarantine and are now available to see visitors during the annual Holiday Magic celebration. Look for them in their outdoor habitat at The Fragile Kingdom.
Brookfield Zoo has had snow leopards on display since 1936.
