These cute creatures, with their captivating blue eyes, are playing a significant part in conservation initiatives aimed at safeguarding their species.
The Novosibirsk Zoo in Siberia has recently shared news on their VK.com page that they have welcomed 16 wild kittens into their zoo. The newborns were born to three female Pallas’ Cats, but the exact dates of birth have not been revealed. Tatyana Pevneva, who is the head of the International Cooperation Department at Novosibirsk Zoo, has confirmed that one litter had three kittens, another had five, and the third had eight. The kittens were born with bright blue eyes that will gradually change to green and then yellow as they mature. The zookeepers and veterinarians are keeping a close eye on the development of the kittens, and due to their young age, their future remains uncertain.
The Novosibirsk Zoo is currently home to two adorable kittens of the Pallas’ Cat breed, who can be seen playing joyfully in their enclosure. These cuddly creatures have been bred in the zoo since 1995 and are sent to zoos across the globe to support international and European conservation programs. The descendants of these cats can now be found in Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, France, Switzerland, Austria, and Great Britain. Breeding Pallas’ Cats in captivity is a challenging task, with a high mortality rate. These cats are typically found in rocky deserts and semi-arid regions stretching from Central Asia to Mongolia. Unfortunately, they are an endangered species due to habitat degradation and the fur trade.
Animal enthusiasts are captivated by a mother Pallas’s Cat and her two charming kittens at the Novosibirsk Zoo. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), there is a mere 12,000 of these felines in the Russian wilderness. As for captive cats, there were only 30 present in zoos across the country as of late 2019. Although the kittens do emerge from their shelter occasionally, the zoo staff has noticed that they typically avoid unfamiliar individuals, including visitors. Nonetheless, the employees have also observed that the feline youngsters are gaining confidence, which increases the likelihood of catching a glimpse of them.
