If you’ve ever looked at a big cat and thought, “Wow, nature really outdid itself,” then you’ll love this. Two tiny but mighty Amur Leopard cubs have just been born at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, and it’s a really big deal—like “only three born in the whole world this year” big. With fewer than 100 left in the wild, this birth isn’t just cute—it’s hope wrapped in spots and fur.
A tiny step with a massive impact
So here’s the scoop. Kristen, a 13-year-old Amur Leopard who lives at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster, gave birth last week. The dad, Drake, is 14. The pair were only introduced in 2023, but clearly hit it off fast—they had their first cub, Auckley, just six months later. Now, they’ve added two more to the family.
This isn’t your everyday animal park announcement. These cubs are the second and third Amur Leopards born anywhere in the world in 2025. Just let that sink in. With a wild population as low as double digits, every new arrival is like winning the lottery—twice.
So what happens now?
Right now, Kristen’s doing what all good mums do: keeping the babies warm, fed and completely hidden from the outside world. At birth, Amur Leopard cubs weigh just 2–3 kilos (that’s about the same as a house cat) and are incredibly vulnerable.
For the first two months, they’ll stay in a private den inside the park’s Leopard Heights area. This isn’t just any enclosure—it’s the biggest Amur Leopard space in the world, with a clever setup that includes:
- A main reserve for public viewing
- Two “nursery” reserves that give mums and cubs some peace and quiet
- A giant 8-metre tower with a viewing deck for guests
Once the cubs hit the two-month mark, they’ll start to poke their heads out and explore. That’s when things start getting really fun for visitors—and for the cubs.
Meet the parents (again)
Kristen isn’t new to this. She was born in the Czech Republic and moved to Yorkshire in 2022. She’s had three litters before—one way back in 2013, another in 2016, and then Auckley in 2023, who was the only Amur Leopard cub born in Europe that year. Just to give you a sense of scale: only six other Amur Leopard births were recorded anywhere in the world in the past 12 months, according to ZIMS (that’s the Zoological Information Management System).
Dr. Charlotte MacDonald, the park’s Animal Director, is understandably thrilled. “Kristen is proving again to be a great mum,” she said. “So far, everything is going well with them, and we’re keeping them under constant supervision.”
What makes Amur Leopards so special?
Let’s talk about what makes these cats such showstoppers. Amur Leopards are found in the wild in parts of Russia and China, usually in cold, forested areas. They’re ridiculously agile—they can sprint up to 37 miles an hour and leap nearly 20 feet in a single bound. That’s longer than most people’s living rooms.
But for all their strength and speed, they’re on the knife edge of extinction. With fewer than 100 left in the wild, they’re the most endangered big cat on the planet. That’s why breeding programmes like the one at Yorkshire Wildlife Park matter so much.
How Yorkshire Wildlife Park is helping
The park isn’t just about animal selfies and snacks (though yes, you can do both). It’s deeply involved in conservation work through its charity, The Wildlife Foundation. They work with organisations like WildCats Conservation Alliance, supporting everything from habitat protection to population tracking.
And yes, you’ll soon be able to see the cubs too. The park plans to set up live camera feeds inside the den, so you can catch a glimpse of them before they’re big enough to come out. Think of it as Big Cat Baby TV.
More than just leopards
Yorkshire Wildlife Park isn’t stopping at leopards. The place is packed with other rare and impressive animals like Amur Tigers, Black Rhinos, Giraffes, and even Polar Bears. If you fancy making a proper day of it, there’s also The Yorkshire Hive, which is a mix of shops, places to eat, and entertainment. Oh, and there’s The Hex Wildlife Hotel if you want to turn it into a weekend getaway.
Quick facts at a glance:
- 🐾 Cubs born: Last week of April 2025
- 🐾 Species: Amur Leopard (fewer than 100 left in the wild)
- 🐾 Parents: Kristen (13) and Drake (14)
- 🐾 Previous cub: Auckley, born June 2023
- 🐾 Viewing: Cubs will be shown via live camera first, then in-person around June
Just in time for International Leopard Day on Saturday (May 3), this birth is a small but mighty win for a species fighting to survive. Want to see the cubs for yourself? Give them a few weeks, and keep an eye on Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s updates.
Curious to plan a visit or keep tabs on the cubs’ progress?
