Two rare snow leopard cubs are now on show at the Melbourne Zoo.
The cubs were born in early December, but have been bonding with their mother behind closed doors.
They will be used as part of an international breeding program for endangered species.
The cubs' mother 'Meo' came to Melbourne in June 2003 from the Stuttgart Zoo in Germany, while father 'Leon' was born at Taronga Zoo and arrived at Melbourne Zoo in October 2007.
Snow leopards are native to the mountainous regions of 12 countries stretching from Afghanistan east through the Himalayas and Central Asia to Russia.
Their pale coat is excellent camouflage in their natural surrounds, but it also makes them a prime target for hunters in the illegal wildlife trade.
Until now the cubs have led a very quiet life with Meo in a dark nesting box.
Slowly Meo has been bringing her cubs out into the adjacent night yards.
This morning the cubs were given a health check and vaccination against cat flu and feline enteritis.
