Exhibit Switch

The snow leopard and Amur leopard have switched exhibits, so you will find snow leopards Bhutan and Kisa next to the Pallas cats. Amur leopard, Katia, was very active and even playful as she explored the new yard last week:


Katia explores.

Multiple yards offer a more dynamic experience for the cats. Giving all of our animals variety and choices day to day is a crucial part of their welfare and well being. Katia enjoyed the new yard so much because there were new smells, new substrates and new perching to explore. Naturally cats would come across smells of other animals as they move through their territories. We provide different smells in the form of perfumes, spices, etc to mimic this, but nothing is better than the actual smell of another cat!

Another benefit is that as our Amur Leopards get older (Kashka is 18; Katia is 15) they can develop arthritis or other normal age related maladies. In the event that we start to see any mobility issues arise with either cat we will now have the ability to offer an outdoor space that is less steep and easier to navigate.

Finally, the current Amur exhibit offers great opportunities for the two young and agile snow leopards, which are so well adapted to the steep rocky terrain in that exhibit. Additionally it will offer our guests a great chance to see some of the behavior that makes snow leopards so amazing.

The Snow Leopards ventured out into their new exhibit Sunday (well…Kisa ventured, Bhutan sniffed from the safety of the shift). Here are a few photos of their first day in the yard. Kisa is exploring every nook and cranny and Bhutan is working up the guts to move off the top rock!


Kisa at the front window.


Kisa explores.


Bhutan on top of rock.