PRESS RELEASE For immediate release | May 24, 2013 Media contact: Gigi Allianic, Caileigh Robertson 206.548.2550 | woodlandparkzoopr@zoo.org

Zoo’s jaguar cubs’ personalities outweigh their 10-pound frames

SEATTLE ‒ Woodland Park Zoo’s three jaguar cubs received their first hands-on exams last week and, at 3 months old, keepers determined the cubs’ personalities far outweigh their 10- pound frames.

The trio — born in March to the zoo’s jaguar pair, 7-year-old mother Nayla and 14-year-old father Junior — have been under the watchful eye of Nayla since birth. Jaguar births are rare, and as a “near threatened” species on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the jaguar triplets are a major milestone for Woodland Park Zoo’s jaguar conservation efforts.

Health updates were put on hold while first-time mother Nayla demonstrated natural motherly care and protection, so much that keepers and veterinarians couldn’t get their hands on the cubs until late last week. Zoo staff has determined the healthy triplets include two girls and one boy, all exhibiting curiously different personalities.

“They’re a rowdy group of cubs, and Nayla can attest to that,” says Woodland Park Zoo jaguar keeper, Jamie Delk. “The first born is a girl, is the smallest of the cubs, and has an independent and adventurous nature. She tends to be the leader of the bunch, and was the first to follow Nayla to meet the keepers.”

The male cub — born second — was the largest at the time of birth. Although he is easily distinguished by his vocal outbursts, the youngster is startled easily and is shy around keepers. He’s quite the mama’s boy and is very attached to Nayla. The third born cub, the second female of the litter, loves to play, but always wants to be near one of her siblings. She regularly follows her older sister and playfully roughhouses with her big brother.

With steady growth and development, the keepers are beginning to introduce the cubs to enrichment items such as boxes, paper towel rolls and small balls. Nayla and the cubs also have access to an outside yard, in addition to their indoor rooms.

“The cubs run and jump back and forth between their indoor room and outside yard,” says Delk. “Their agility shows us they’re gaining more and more coordination each day. That’s the kind of positive progress we like to see before introducing them to their naturalistic exhibit.”

As the cubs continue to grow, the zoo’s staff is working hard to cub-proof Jaguar Cove for their big debut this summer.

In the wild, habitat loss and fragmentation of wild areas, hunting by ranchers, and loss of wild prey due to overhunting by humans are major threats facing the jaguar. The jaguar has been eradicated from more than 40% of its historical range, but Woodland Park Zoo partners with conservation programs working to preserve the species in 18 countries in Latin America where jaguars still exist.

Since its creation in 2003, Woodland Park Zoo’s Jaguar Conservation Fund each year supports field conservation projects dedicated to preserving wild jaguars and their habitat. The fund has given awards to 19 projects in 12 North, Central and South American countries for a total investment of $113,806. Currently, the zoo supports three projects in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua that all aim to find ways for both people and predators to share Earth’s ecosystems.

For zoo hours, admission prices and more information, or to become a zoo member, visit www.zoo.org or call 206.548.2500 or 548.2599 (TTY).

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