Toronto Zoo says Jita the snow leopard is pregnant
The Toronto Zoo says there will be "a little snow in the spring forecast this year" as one of its snow leopards is expecting her first cubs.
The zoo released a video Friday showing two-year-old Jita getting an ultrasound, though it is difficult to tell how many cubs she's expecting.
Her care team said that Jita’s thick belly fur made the procedure a challenge, requiring “a lot of extra ultrasound gel.”
Jita became pregnant after being introduced to nine-year-old Pemba in February on a recommendation from the snow leopard Species Survival Plan. According to the zoo, "it was a case of love at first sight" when the two met.
Pregnancy usually lasts 90 to 110 days in snow leopards, meaning that Jita will likely give birth sometime in mid-May.
The zoo cautioned that first time pregnancies present challenges for snow leopards since inexperienced mothers don’t always know what to do. It also noted that Pemba has sired prior litters, but none of his cubs survived due to medical complications.
"With this knowledge, the snow leopard care team is busy making preparations to ensure the best possible outcome regardless of the situation," the zoo said in a statement. "Ongoing ultrasounds will monitor her progress and we remain hopeful this pregnancy continues to go smoothly."
The snow leopard, also known as the "ghost cat," is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list. The Toronto Zoo participates in a breeding program with other accredited zoos in North America to help preserve the species.
"Through the Species Survival Plan, we maintain a sustainable population of snow leopards in human care to preserve their genetic diversity and allow them to serve as ambassadors for their wild counterparts," the zoo said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Poverty report cards: Which provinces got the worst grades?
Poverty and food insecurity have worsened in most of Canada in the past year and most provincial governments aren't doing enough to address the problem, according to a just-released series of report cards.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
Sheldon Keefe hired as head coach of New Jersey Devils
Sheldon Keefe has been hired as the head coach of the New Jersey Devils.
Disgruntled worker fatally shoots 2, wounds 3 at linen company near Philadelphia
A disgruntled employee opened fire at a linen company near Philadelphia on Wednesday, killing two coworkers and injuring three others, authorities said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'Holy moly, that's me!': Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair gets her own Barbie
Legendary Canadian soccer player Christine Sinclair is now immortalized with a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll that looks just like her.