They are a female and a male. The exhibit is not a bad one. The cats have a large rock structure to climb. The exhibit is divided by a chain-link fence. I do not believe the zoo intends to breed these animals. The Alaska Zoo identifies itself as a holding facility for Snow Leopards. Perhaps several years ago a breeding attempt was made, but was unsuccessful (if memory serves). A few months before then was the only time I've seen the dividing fence rolled up, giving both cats full access to each other. This male shows a lot of interest in the female...so...maybe. An inadvertent Yak birth several years back and annual Swan cygnets are the only examples of breeding I've witnessed at the Alaska Zoo. 12 years ago a Dall Sheep ewe gave birth. I believe the zoo breds Partridges for carnivore feed (they used to display them with that caveat), not sure if they still do. The Polar Bear exhibit expansion includes a maternity cave. A Canada Lynx recently arrived on a breeding loan. Most animals at the zoo arrive as rescued orphans, domestic stock, or from AZA facilities (probably as non-breeders within the SSP) ie, the two Amur Tiger brothers. Back to the Snow Leopard exhibit, the opportunity to climb seems important to the cats...would more natural vegetation be pleasing to the eye? Yes, but the exhibit is far from the worst I've seen...and the cats are very active.
I meant with a divider, since most zoos to my knowledge usually hold breeding pairs/previously mated pairs who can be with one another permanently or some will put one animal out at a time on rotation. I was thinking that these two most not get along to have to be separated, is all.
They are a female and a male. The exhibit is not a bad one. The cats have a large rock structure to climb. The exhibit is divided by a chain-link fence. I do not believe the zoo intends to breed these animals. The Alaska Zoo identifies itself as a holding facility for Snow Leopards. Perhaps several years ago a breeding attempt was made, but was unsuccessful (if memory serves). A few months before then was the only time I've seen the dividing fence rolled up, giving both cats full access to each other. This male shows a lot of interest in the female...so...maybe. An inadvertent Yak birth several years back and annual Swan cygnets are the only examples of breeding I've witnessed at the Alaska Zoo. 12 years ago a Dall Sheep ewe gave birth. I believe the zoo breds Partridges for carnivore feed (they used to display them with that caveat), not sure if they still do. The Polar Bear exhibit expansion includes a maternity cave. A Canada Lynx recently arrived on a breeding loan. Most animals at the zoo arrive as rescued orphans, domestic stock, or from AZA facilities (probably as non-breeders within the SSP) ie, the two Amur Tiger brothers. Back to the Snow Leopard exhibit, the opportunity to climb seems important to the cats...would more natural vegetation be pleasing to the eye? Yes, but the exhibit is far from the worst I've seen...and the cats are very active.
Sorry I should have clarified that I was referring to the divider. Ive never seen snow leopards separeted if they were opposite sexes and if they got along. Thought maybe they just didn't get along if the were of the same gender, since I've never seen unrelated same sex leopards displayed with one another. Thought maybe it was a territory thing. But the exhibit itself looks good to me, looks great for their high altitude lives, but yeah maybe I would had a few plants, but thats just me
In that case you might be on to something. Look through the gallery and you'll see a series of photos were the male runs and leaps at the fence that separates the two cats. The female also had a bleeding wound on her ear at one time. Not sure how or if these animals are related to each other. Each came from seperate zoos in the lower 48 and arrived several years apart.
