County Executive Maggie Brooks announced that this spring Monroe County’s Seneca Park Zoo will bring in a pair of young snow leopards into its collection. The cats - which are a brother and sister - will become permanent residents of the zoo.  They come to Monroe County from the Los Angeles Zoo in California.

 

“The Seneca Park Zoo has a rich history with snow leopards,” said Brooks. “The Zoo first housed snow leopards in 1976 and they were last here in 2003. During that time, 41 snow leopards called the Zoo home and 26 of them were actually born here. We are thrilled to once again bring these beautiful felines back to our community.”

 

Snow leopards are considered a medium-sized cat that is native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. Their fur is long, thick and has a smoky-gray color with dark gray to black rosettes and spots. Their body is about 4 to 5 feet long, with a 3-foot-long tail.

 

“The most prolific pair of snow leopards to live at the Seneca Park Zoo was Jennifer and Jeramiah,” said County Zoo Director Larry Sorel. “And interestingly enough, Jeramiah is the great-great-granduncle of the two snow leopards we will be receiving this spring!”