No one can resist an adorable baby animal. Seriously, how can so much cute fit into these teeny-tiny bodies?! From tiny puppies to miniature piglets, there's just something insanely cute about newborn animals that can melt even the stoniest heart — and this next baby may be the cutest thing you'll see all day.
An endangered clouded leopard kitten, a male, was born March 7 at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo. In the zoo's newly released video, the little, 10-day-old guy has just begun to open his eyes and is being bottle-fed. The baby slurps down his bottle and makes the cutest noises. Weighing around 1.2 pounds, this tiny leopard is about the same size as his bottle. Later, the newest clouded leopard kitten is seen getting a bath in the sink and squeaking with joy as he gets rinsed off.
According to the zoo, the leopard will be strong enough to walk in the next few weeks and will be hand-reared until his weaning at about three months of age.
The leopard's birth has been a major cause for celebration because it is the first clouded leopard cub born at Lowry Park Zoo. According to a representative of the zoo, there are currently only 87 clouded leopards at Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoos.
"This birth signifies a milestone accomplishment in our conservation programs at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo," Dr. Larry Killmar, vice president of animal science and conservation, said in the zoo's media release. "Species survival programs for animals like clouded leopards take years of planning, development and staff commitment. This kitten will contribute to the long term viability of our conservation efforts within the managed population, as well as range countries."
Enjoy! And please SHARE this adorable newborn leopard with all your friends.
This endangered clouded leopard kitten enjoys his bottle:
