Father of Denver Zoo’s baby Amur leopard is from El Paso

The Denver Zoo has announced the birth of a critically endangered Amur leopard cub named Sochi, born December 3, 2013.

The young male is the 10th birth of his species at Denver Zoo since Amur leopards arrived in 1989.

After spending time bonding with his mother, Dazma, Sochi can now be viewed by guests of the zoo.

Sochi is the second cub for Dazma and her mate, Hari-Kari. Hari-Kari was born at the El Paso Zoo in 2003 and arrived at Denver Zoo in 2005. Dazma was born at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in 2001 before coming to Denver Zoo in 2004.

The two were paired under recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) which ensures healthy populations and genetic diversity among zoo animals.

Hari-Kari’s father, Ivan, still lives at the El Paso Zoo. Ivan was brought to El Paso in 2000 from Minnesota to be bred with a female at the El Paso Zoo.

Steve Marshall, El Paso Zoo director, said the birth of Sochi is significant because there are possibly only 40 to 50 Amur leopards in the wild and about 96 in North American zoos. Amur leopards are considered the most endangered cats on the planet.

The El Paso Zoo has produced five Amur leopard cubs.

Watch video of Sochi at http://www.youtube.com/embed/MZl2QRWIOb4