Snow Leopards Celebrate First Birthday at Highland Wildlife Park

Snow leopard cubs Maya, Padme and Yashin have celebrated their first birthday with a party at the Highland Wildlife Park in Scotland. Images released by the The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland show the cubs enjoying a range of activities created by their keepers to mark the special occasion.

To mark the milestone the whole family including the three cubs and parents, Animesh (Mother), and, Koshi (Dad) were treated to decorated boxes and a giant number one-shaped piñata full of their favourite tasty treats. Another highlight was fur from the park’s Bactrian camel herd which the cubs could sniff.

These activities are all considered enrichment which is different sights, smells and experiences which are provided to the animals. This is an important part of the animals’ daily care at Highland Wildlife park, encouraging them to be more active and improving their mental and physical wellbeing.  

Judith Van De Voorde, senior carnivore keeper at Highland Wildlife Park, said, “We are all thrilled to wish Maya, Padme and Yashin a happy first birthday. They have settled in so well and are incredibly popular with visitors and staff alike, with their distinct personalities capturing hearts over the last year.”

”Like all the animals in our care, our snow leopards play an important role in attracting and engaging thousands of visitors each year so they can learn about the threats animals face in the wild and the action they can take to help. Their power to connect people with nature and encourage behaviour change is invaluable,” added Judith. 

Found across mountain ranges in Central and Southern Asia the snow leopard has been threatened by a decline in prey availability and persecution by farmers. They are now afforded legal protection across much of their range helping to recover the species.