Playful Auckley, the only surviving cub of her species born in Europe last year, enjoyed a meaty treat before ripping her gifts apart. As ever her mother Kristen, who was introduced to father Drake last year as part of the international breeding programme, kept a watchful eye over the birthday celebration and even joined in. Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to Doncaster Free Press, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.
Auckley’s birth last June was hugely significant as Amur leopards are critically endangered with less than 100 surviving in the wild and births in captivity are rare. YWP’s Animal Director Dr Charlotte McDonald, said: “We’re so pleased to celebrate Auckley’s first birthday. She continues to be an inspirational symbol for the park and the team.
She is really thriving. This is a real milestone. “She is the only surviving cub born in the European Programme in 2023 and even more valuable as she is a rare female which was a big boost for the breeding programme.
We’re incredibly fortunate to be celebrating her birthday. “Amur Leopards are a beautiful and wonderful species and one of the rarest on the planet and the team takes immense pride in the important role that it plays in global conservation efforts. Advertisement Advertisement “Ultimately, it is hoped that through the breeding cooperation of the zoo network it will one day be possible to reintroduce Amur Leopards back into prote.
