While leopard cats are typically considered a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, they face endangerment in Taiwan where they frequently make the news after being struck by vehicles while crossing forest roads. To address this issue, Taipei Zoo, the largest zoo in Taiwan, is joining other organizations in providing medical care to these injured animals prior to releasing them back into the wild.
The keepers at this zoo had a reason to rejoice on March 2, 2021, as something remarkable happened after two decades. Ping Ping, a female leopard cat, who had recovered from injuries and mated with another injured leopard cat called Xiao Yu at the zoo, gave birth to three adorable cubs in a peaceful spot around 6 p.m. This was a momentous occasion for all those involved.
The litter size of a female leopard cat typically ranges from two to three kittens in their natural habitat. But for the past two decades, the workers at Taipei Zoo have never encountered newborn triplets until recently when Ping Ping gave birth to three adorable kittens.
Mao Xiong is the older of the two sisters, and Hu Lixiu is the younger one. Their brother goes by the name of Hu Liwang.
Ping Ping was provided with additional nourishment and supplements while the little felines were monitored to ensure they received ample sustenance for their healthy growth and development.
Not long after, the experts handling the leopard cat at Taipei Zoo observed some changes in the female’s hormones, which indicated that she was pregnant. In the month of February 2022, the female leopard cat, Ping Ping, gave birth to another baby. It is worth mentioning that the population of leopard cats in Taiwan has drastically declined to below 500, making every new addition a precious gift to the conservationists and caretakers at Taipei Zoo.
Currently, the three leopard cat siblings are thriving and receiving attentive care. The Unique Biological Research and Conservation Center has taken the initiative to train and assess Hu Liwang and Hu Lixiu, ensuring that they are fit for reintroduction into their natural habitat. Hu Lixiu was sourced from Taipei Zoo.
According to Taipei Zoo’s representative, Hu Liwang, it has been reported that…
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