Amur Leopard Cub Born at Dartmoor Zoo
Friday 7 November, 2025 – Dartmoor Zoo is thrilled to announce the successful birth of an Amur Leopard cub on Monday, September 29th, 2025. The cub, born to parents Freddo and Lena, is the first of its kind to be born at the zoo and is a significant milestone for global conservation efforts of the critically endangered species.
The cub’s arrival was captured on CCTV footage in the cubbing den and is one of only 15 Amur Leopards born globally in 2025, according to the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS). With less than 400 individuals left in the world, the birth of this cub is crucial for the survival of the species.
CEO David Gibson expressed his excitement about the birth, stating, “The birth of our first Amur Leopard cub here at Dartmoor Zoo is the culmination of several years of planning and hard work. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that we are making a significant contribution to the survival of the most endangered big cat in the world.”
Amur Leopards, regarded as the world’s rarest Big Cat, have an estimated population of only 120 in the wild. The species has seen a slow increase in numbers in recent years due to improved legal protection and enforcement in their range countries. However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) still categorizes them as critically endangered.
Funding for conservation efforts for the Amur Leopard often comes from zoos, with the international zoo community contributing over $160,000 in 2024 alone. The WildCats Conservation Alliance praised the role of zoos in protecting the species, stating that they are “an essential safety net” and “one of the main providers of conservation funding.”
Although it is currently not possible to consider reintroducing animals into the wild, maintaining a healthy population of Amur Leopards in zoos is crucial for the species’ recovery. The Amur Leopard is one of nine species of Leopards known to mankind and is known for its thick coat, which allows it to survive in the most challenging of conditions.
The cub’s parents, Freddo and Lena, were introduced in August 2024, and after successful mating, the pair became inseparable. To replicate natural behaviors in the wild, they were separated a few days before the cub’s anticipated arrival. Initial observations show that Lena is calm and already showing signs of motherly intuition, while Freddo remains interested and attentive towards the new family.
Animal Manager Madeleine Millin expressed her joy at the successful breeding, stating, “We are absolutely delighted that our Amur Leopards have bred successfully, and a cub has been born to mother Lena and father Freddo on 29th September.” She added that Lena is “very attentive and protective, reassuringly licking [the cub] and going to retrieve it when it wonders off too far.”
The entire keeper team is excited about the cub’s arrival and is eagerly watching as it develops and explores its surroundings. The project would not have been possible without the support and guidance of the EEP Coordinators, the dedicated keeper team, and the generous funding from Trustee Simon Almond.
Simon Almond commented on the success of the project, stating, “As a founder trustee with 12 years involvement in the charity, with all the ups and downs of which there have been many, to finally reach such an exciting milestone successfully breeding one of the most endangered big cats on the planet is truly amazing.” He also thanked the team for their efforts and invited everyone to celebrate the wonderful addition to the Dartmoor Zoo family.
To learn more about Dartmoor Zoo and their conservation efforts, please visit www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk. If you would like to contribute to their conservation projects, please consider making a donation.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.