AWWWWW YOU GUYS.
A tiny baby clouded leopard cub has been born at Nashville Zoo, and it was made from frozen splooge.
The lil’ dude (he’s a boy) was made via artificial insemination using frozen / thawed semen, using an egg from mum Tula and spunk from dad Hannibal. THEY MADE A BABY!
It’s a huge accomplishment for the both the zoo and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (they worked together on this one), as clouded leopards are a vulnerable species and really, really hard to breed in captivity.
“This cub, the first clouded leopard offspring produced with cryopreserved semen, is a symbol of how zoos and scientists can come together to make positive change for animals and preserving global biodiversity,” said Dr. Adrienne Crosier, a researcher with the Smithsonian. “Collaboration is the key to conservation of clouded leopards, along with so many other rare and endangered species we care for and study.”
The clouded leopard is one of the rarest and most secretive cats in the world, making them extraordinarily hard to study. That in turn makes breeding them in captivity tricky, which in itself is compounded by the fact that clouded leopards are sensitive to auditory and visual disturbances, increasing their stress levels.
“This is an enormous accomplishment for both Nashville Zoo and the team at the Smithsonian,” said Dr. Heather Robertson, Director of Veterinary Services at Nashville Zoo. “It means we can collect and preserve semen from clouded leopard populations around the globe and improve pregnancy outcomes from AI procedures in this species.”
When the lil’ guy is old enough, attempts will be made to find him a mate.
In the meantime, please watch this video of him drinking milk and try not to let your heart explode. Turn the sound up, because at 26 seconds HE SQUEAKS.
I cannot. I just cannot.
Photos: Nashville Zoo.
