Two Jaguar Cubs Born at the Zoo

These little cuties were born at the Brevard Zoo which is only a few miles from where we live! Aren't they cute???

On September 29, two jaguar cubs were born to Masaya. One might
remember that Nindiri, Masaya's first cub, was born in June 2007 and just
recently went to the San Diego Zoo to be paired with a mate as part of the
Association of Zoo's and Aquariums Species Survival Plan.

"Once again, Masaya is proving to be an excellent mother, caring for and
nursing each cub equally,” said Michael Magaw, Curator of Animals at Brevard
Zoo. “Her confidence and comfort with her keepers and mate Xinca is very high;
therefore, allowing him to remain within close proximity of their cubs."

With the training Masaya's keepers have invested over the years, we are
able to closely monitor their health and development as well as track their
weight gain in relation to her last cub Nindiri. Surprisingly, both of this
year’s cubs are larger than Nindiri was at two weeks of age. At present, both
cubs are right at five pounds in weight and are gaining just over a pound a
week.

They are quite active and vocal even at this early age. We are all
excited and looking forward to watching these two playing and growing together.
The cubs are expected to go out on exhibit for the first time in mid- to late
November. At this time, the sex of each cub is unknown.

The AZA's Species Survival Plan is to reach a target population of 100 to 120 jaguars in accredited zoos. As of 2007 there were 44 jaguars at 19 institutions.

Jaguars are found in the dense forests and swampy grasslands of Central and South
America. Known for swimming and climbing, jaguars are carnivores and hunt deer,
monkey, tapirs, capybara, turtles and fish. Sexual maturity for these animals
occurs right around three years and litters of one to four young are common.
Jaguars live up to 20 years in captivity.