One of the ‘world’s rarest cats’ gave birth at an IL zoo. Meet her ‘tiny’ babies
Though native to the tumultuous, snowy forests of eastern Russia, a critically endangered species is growing in the safety of a zoo in Illinois.
A “tiny duo” of Amur leopard cubs was born at the Brookfield Zoo, the zoo announced on July 29, marking a “rare and important” moment for the future of one of the “world’s rarest cats.”
Six-year-old Mina, a first-time mother, gave birth to the babies on July 14 and is now caring for them in a tucked-away habitat as the pair develop and grow, the zoo said.
Less than 100 Amur leopards remain in the wild as the critically endangered species has suffered from forest fires, habitat loss and poaching, according to zoo officials. Approximately 70 are being cared for in accredited zoos.
“For an imperiled species, every birth counts,” the zoo said in a news release.
The species, now “rarely seen in the wild,” is built to live in “twilight” forests, the zoo said. Their thick coats of fur and long tails help keep them warm in the depths of winter.
The two cubs are bonding with their mother in a closed-off habitat, video from the zoo showed.
Brookfield is about a 15-mile drive southwest from downtown Chicago.
This story was originally published July 31, 2025 at 4:06 PM with the headline "One of the ‘world’s rarest cats’ gave birth at an IL zoo. Meet her ‘tiny’ babies."
