The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England, recently welcomed a new addition to their family, a black female jaguar cub.
This is a rare event, as only about 10% of jaguars in the wild are black. Born on April 6, the cub is now more than ten months old, increasing and becoming more mischievous daily.
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Her birth is part of the European Endangered Species Breeding Program, and she’s critical because jaguars are a near-threatened species.
The unnamed cub is the daughter of Keira and Neron, two jaguars that first met in December 2019. Neron, the father, has a high amount of black pigmentation due to a genetic mutation, which is why his daughter also has a black coat.
Under sunlight, the cub’s spots appear black and brown. This cub is the fourth black jaguar at the sanctuary, contributing to the organization’s efforts to protect and breed endangered species.
The sanctuary reports that Keira, the mother, is energetic and full of life, contrasting with Neron’s calm demeanor.
The staff at the sanctuary describe Keira as a loving and patient mother who plays with and grooms her baby all day and night.
She will continue to care for the cub until she is 14 weeks old and has completed her vaccinations.
After that, the sanctuary’s team will help Keira care for the cub, allowing her some much-needed rest.
Briony, the Head Keeper, mentioned that the cub was born at 11:10 am and has been quite strong since then, walking confidently at just two weeks old.
The father, Neron, has not yet been introduced to his daughter and is enjoying his peaceful time on his climbing platform or in his den.
The sanctuary is excited about the eventual meeting between father and daughter, but they are focused on ensuring the cub’s health and safety.
The sanctuary has launched a public naming contest for the cub, allowing people to vote for a name until August 1.
The suggested names are Inka, after the South American Indians; Inti, meaning “Sunshine” in Quechuan; and Killari, which means “Moonlight” in Quechuan.
Each vote costs $7, and a portion of the proceeds will go toward the sanctuary’s jaguar conservation partner at the University of Costa Rica.
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