Mar 26, 2009 10:21 am US/Eastern
National Zoo Home To Rare Clouded Leopard Cubs
WASHINGTON (AP) ―
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One of a pair of rare clouded leopards born at the National Zoo in Washington is weighed on a scale in this undated screen grab.
CBS
Two rare and endangered clouded leopard cubs are being taken care of at a National Zoo facility in northern Virginia.
The whiskered cubs were born Tuesday, the first such births there in 16 years. Zoo officials say breeding the animals is a challenge because when a pair are put together to mate, the male often kills the female. Mothers also often accidentally or intentionally kill their cubs.
In this case, the cubs were quickly removed from their mother after birth.
Clouded leopards are native to Southeast Asia, but are vulnerable to extinction because of hunting and deforestation. They weigh about a half pound when born and grow to as much as 50 pounds. Their tails account for half of their length.
The new cubs will not be on public display.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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