2 rare, endangered snow leopard cubs, their mother move into habitat at Los Angeles Zoo

2 snow leopard cubs, mom, move into LA Zoo home

LOS ANGELES — Two rare, endangered snow leopard cubs have a new home, no names and an uncertain future.

The speckled cubs, a boy and a girl, and their mom, Asia, moved into their public habitat Thursday at the LA Zoo. The rocks, trees and streams seemed to appeal to the frisky cubs, who were born May 26.

The cats will be named through the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association’s “Name an Animal” program.

Gina Dartt, the zoo’s promotions coordinator, says it’s unclear where the cubs will end up. Previous cats born here have gone to other zoos.

There are fewer than 7,000 snow leopards left in the wild. They can leap up to 45 feet, have superb night vision and use their long tails for balance and warmth.