The Magnetic Hill Zoo has two new baby jaguar cubs. (Submitted: Magnetic Hill Zoo)
In case you needed another reason to visit the Magnetic Hill Zoo, they’ve just added two new residents.
A pair of male jaguar cubs were born at the zoo on August 22nd.
Zoo director, Jill Marvin says they are both doing well, despite a slight size difference.
“The are progressing really well, the eyes are open, they’re getting a bit more steady. Mum is doing an excellent job, she allows us to do a quick weigh in, a physical check and she takes great care of them,” says Marvin.
“After a couple of days we could see there was a significant difference in them so we followed protocol and consulted with some other people and decided it was in the best interest to give an extra little supplement bottle to make sure he can keep up with his brother,” she adds.
Marvin says the cubs will stay hidden away with mom, BJ, for two to three months before they start venturing out of their den.
“Cubs are born in a den, same thing as in the wild, so she (BJ) will keep them while their very very vulnerable and their not mobile enough,” Marvin says.
The zoo has yet to name the newborns and say they may put the call out to visitors.
Marvin says jaguars are a near-extinct species so they are very grateful to have these two cubs.
She hopes having them at the zoo will encourage visitors to want to protect them in the wild.
