A few weeks ago, the Novosibirsk Zoo in Siberia made an exciting announcement on VK.com about the birth of sixteen cute and wild kittens. These lovely kittens belong to three female Pallas’ Cats, and they all have big, bright blue eyes! Unfortunately, the exact date of their births was not mentioned in the announcement. However, Tatyana Pevneva, who is the head of the International Cooperation Department at the Novosibirsk Zoo, revealed that the first female gave birth on June 1st, 2020, while the second and third had their litters on June 7th and June 11th, respectively. It’s worth noting that each litter had a varying number of kittens, with one female having three, another having five, and the third having eight. As these cats grow up, their blue eyes will change color over time, from green to yellow. The zoo staff are keeping a close eye on these cute kittens as they continue to develop, but it’s still too early to say what their future holds.
Two darling kittens are currently enjoying themselves in the Novosibirsk Zoo. These delightful creatures are Pallas’ Cats, a breed that has been residing in the zoo for over 25 years. In an effort to promote conservation, these adorable kittens are sent to various zoos worldwide as part of international and European programs. As a result, their offspring can now be found in many countries such as Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Great Britain, Poland, and even the Czech Republic.
Breeding Pallas’ Cats in captivity is no easy feat and the mortality rate is high, leading to the vulnerable status of their population. Originally native to rocky deserts and semi-arid regions of Central Asia and Mongolia, these cats face threats of extinction due to being hunted for their fur and habitat degradation.
Despite their challenges, the playful nature of these kittens brings a sense of hope for their endangered species.
The Novosibirsk Zoo is home to a mother Pallas’s Cat and two charming kittens, which have been attracting a lot of attention from visitors. These cats are a rare sight as they are only found in the wild in Russia and there are only about 12,000 of them left, according to the WWF. Additionally, Russian zoos only have 30 Pallas’s Cats in captivity as of the end of last year, as reported by Pevneva.
Though the kittens at the Novosibirsk Zoo are still wary around strangers such as visitors, they occasionally venture out of their hideout for a brief moment before quickly retreating to safety. However, zoo staff members have noticed that the kittens are gradually becoming more self-assured over time, heightening the possibility of guests getting a glimpse of them. Therefore, if you’re fortunate, you might be able to catch a glimpse of these charming little felines during your zoo visit!
