Rare new arrival at Dartmoor Zoo marks major step for global conservation

There is cause for celebration at Dartmoor Zoo this week, as staff confirmed the birth of a critically endangered Amur leopard cub, one of the rarest big cats in the world.

Born on 29 September 2025, the cub is the first for parents Freddo and Lena, and one of only 15 Amur leopards born globally this year, according to the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS).

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Lena arrived from Colchester Zoo in August 2024 as part of an international breeding programme, and after a successful introduction in April this year, the pair quickly bonded. 

Keepers monitored the birth through CCTV footage in the cubbing den, where both mother and cub are reported to be doing well.

Now, just over five weeks later, keepers say the young cub has begun to explore its surroundings, a key stage in its early development.

Dartmoor Zoo Chief Executive David Gibson said the birth was the result 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,” he said.

“With fewer than 400 individuals left globally, this cub is a globally important addition. It will be some time before the cub is visible to visitors, but both mum and cub are receiving the very best care in the meantime.”

Amur leopards are native to the forests of north-eastern China and south-eastern Russia, and are classed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 

ABOVE: Amur Leopard father Freddo (Credit- Kira Butters DZ)

Only around 120 remain in the wild, although improved protection in recent years has helped their slow recovery.

According to conservation group WildCats Conservation Alliance, births like this are vital for the species’ survival.

“Each Amur leopard born in an accredited zoo strengthens a carefully managed breeding programme that acts as a genetically diverse reservoir for future reintroductions,” the group said.

“Zoos are also one of the main providers of conservation funding, investing more than $350 million a year.”

Animal Manager Madeleine Millin said keepers have been closely following the cub’s development.

“Lena has been a fantastic first-time mother, very attentive and protective,” she said. “The cub is moving around well, playing with mum and exploring its surroundings. The whole team is thrilled.”

Wildlife Conservation Coordinator Katharina Herrmann from Berlin Zoo, who oversees the European breeding programme for the species, said every birth is “a significant achievement”.

ABOVE: Amur Leopard mother Lena (Credit: Kira Butters DZ)

“With only around 120 individuals left in the wild, each cub represents an important step towards securing the future of one of the rarest cats on Earth.”

The zoo confirmed that the leopard enclosure will remain closed to visitors while the cub continues to develop, with public viewing expected to be announced in the coming months.

Dartmoor Zoo Trustee Simon Almond added,

“To finally reach such an exciting milestone, successfully breeding one of the most endangered big cats on the planet, is truly amazing. The credit goes to our dedicated team and the breeding programme that believed in us.”

For now, the newest arrival remains behind the scenes, a small but vital addition to the global effort to save this extraordinary species.