Clouded Leopards, Media Darlings!

Today Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's new clouded leopards made the front page of the Tacoma News Tribune. The cats are adjusting really well to all the sights and sounds of their new home, even scary strollers! They have had their huge front window covered by a flour and water mixture to minimize their view into the big outdoors. But now that they are doing so well we have been removing the coating and making "portholes" for them to peek out of. Their temporary exhibit will be open intermittently starting Monday and hopefully be fully open by the following week.

You should also check out the great video the TNT videographer shot of the kids in all their spotty adoreableness!

How can you not come to the Zoo to see them???

Clouded Leopard Video From Sumatra

The CLP received this very short video clip of a clouded leopard encountered by Mr. Sjarif, a graduate student of Gadjah Mada Univesiry, Indonesia. Sjarif made a camp near the rivermouth of Sungai Ibay on Sumatra. After constructing the camp, he took a rest and went to the river to bathe. While he was at the river he saw a clouded leopard approach, although he didn't know what it was at the time. Luckily, he had his camera with him and grabbed it to take two photos. However, he didn't realize the camera was set up to video mode, so instead of photos he got extremely short video clips. While it is great, it is also frustrating to have missed out on such an amazing photo and video opportunity!

More Clouded Leopard Cub Photos

The new cats are settling in well, especially the youngsters. I went in with them for the first time yesterday for a photo shoot. They are still young enough that it didn't take long for them to warm up - in fact they are so human-oriented it's hard to get them to stay back to get good shots!

Andy bottle raised the cubs in Thailand; it's nice to have a familiar face in Tacoma!

Chai Li

Nah Fun digs in.

Maureen making friends.

Chai Li is already waiting for her fans. Right now the window is covered and the building is closed for acclimation's sake.

Chai Li getting comfortable.

So happy to have young clouded leopards at the Zoo again!