The latest addition to the zoo is indeed a rare breed, and is about to be introduced to the public.
An Amur leopard, was born Aug. 27. There are only about 50 of them left in the wild. They live around eastern Russia, eastern China and Korea -- colder climates than most leopard species call home.
Because the birth is so unique, officials at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens are taking extreme care to help the cub survive. It is living in private quarters until it grows and can join the leopard population at the zoo. Right now, it's about the size of a large housecat, though its feet are, to understate it, considerably larger.
According to Senior Veterinarian Nikolay Kapustin, when exactly that happens is up to the leopard. He has to learn how to interact and behave like a grown leopard before he can be introduced to the population.
SLIDESHOW: NEW LEOPARD AT THE ZOO
It will be introduced to the public Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; feedings at 10:30 and 1:30 are also open.
The leopard will be living in the Komodo dragon facility for a while. It's all indoors with a glass front so people can see inside.
He was taken from his mother at age 5 days, shortly after his sister died. The mother is a 10-year-old first-time mom, and she didn't really know how to raise the two youngsters.
Kapustin said the zoo prefers to "let moms do what they do best," but in this case removing the cub was necessary.
The leopard is bottle-fed formula instead of milk, and has begun eating cat food. Eventually, he will be able to eat his normal diet, which is all meat, and live in the outdoor leopard exhibit with all his cousins.
