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Clouded Leopard - A difficult path to motherhood

   

 Clouded Leopard – A difficult path to motherhood

 Clouded leopards are a rare and beautiful species naturally found in the foothills of Southeast Asia.  Their widely dispersed populations and natural habitat destruction are leading to steady decline in numbers. 

 The Cotswold Wildlife Park is lucky enough to have a young breeding pair of these secretive animals in the collection.  Due to the rarity of the Clouded Leopard, everyone concerned with this pair were very keen for successful breeding.  Unfortunately the mating behaviour of this very large toothed cat is erratic and at times violent with males frequently inflicting wounds on the female during mating.  Sadly, last year when the female Clouded Leopard came into season, the male inflicted significant injuries to her left foreleg.  When we examined the injuries it became clear that the damage was too extensive to save the leg.  After a few phone calls to experts in Clouded Leopard behaviour and conservation, we decided that we had to try to save her.

 Due to the severity of the injuries and the procedure needed, she was carefully, but safely, moved to the Veterinary Hospital and prepared for surgery.  The damaged leg was prepared and she was carefully monitored during the anaesthetic as the vets from Chipping Norton Veterinary Hospital performed a full leg amputation.  The recovery from surgery went very well and her ‘husband’ was very happy to see her back, albeit a bit different. 

 The staff at the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Chipping Norton Veterinary Hospital were delighted when pictures taken in early September showed that the happy and peaceful couple had successfully had a litter of two healthy kittens.