Cats of the Canopy

After years of aniticipation, staff members at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium are embarking on the planning for a brand new clouded leopard exhibit as a component of the Zoo's Asian Forest Sanctuary. This will be one of the few exhibits in North American AZA-accredited zoos custom-designed specifically for the special needs of clouded leopards. The image above is a schematic used for fund-raising purposes during the current capital campaign managed by The Point Defiance Zoological Society. The actual exhibit design process should begin in mid-November. We hope to open the exhibit in 2010. Despite the "herd" of clouded leopards represented in the schematic, the exhibit will house two breeding pairs. The Zoo's two clouded leopards currently reside in off-exhibit housing so we are excited for the prospect of once again having these amazing cats on display. The exhibit will greatly enhance opportunities to engage visitors about our conservation efforts. I'll share updates as the project progresses.