Jaguar Cub Born at Artis Zoo in Amsterdam
Artis Zoo in Amsterdam recently announced the birth of a jaguar cub, an event of significance for both the zoo and international conservation efforts. The cub arrived on the night of Wednesday, October 16, and both the newborn and its mother are reported to be in good health. This marks the first jaguar cub birth at Artis since 2017.
Zoo keepers closely monitored the 14-year-old mother using camera footage as she prepared for the birth in her indoor enclosure. Immediately after the late-night arrival, the mother began caring for her cub. Visitors can look forward to potentially seeing the cub as it grows, though it will remain close to its mother during its initial weeks.
A Vital Addition to Jaguar Conservation
The birth of this healthy cub is a valuable contribution to the European species conservation programme. Jaguars currently hold a 'Near Threatened' status on the IUCN Red List, with their populations in the wild facing alarming declines. The arrival of new cubs is crucial for maintaining the stability of the species. Johan Lof, a zookeeper at Artis, expressed the team's excitement about the new addition, noting that even the keepers have yet to meet the cub directly, as the mother keeps it close.
The cub is black, a trait shared with its father, which stems from a dominant gene. Its sex is not yet determined. At birth, jaguar cubs' eyes are closed and they have no teeth. Typically, their eyes open within two weeks, after which they begin to explore their surroundings more. Teeth emerge after about a month and a half, and the cub is expected to venture outdoors and explore more independently in about five to six weeks.
Supporting Jaguars in the Wild
Jaguars lead solitary and reclusive lives in often inaccessible areas, making accurate population estimates challenging. Their habitat in Latin America is severely threatened by deforestation and fragmentation. Despite strict protective legislation, jaguars are also still hunted for their body parts or due to conflicts with livestock.
Artis Zoo actively participates in conservation initiatives, including a partnership with Scent Imprint Conservation Dogs to train tracking dog Betty. Betty is learning to identify unique jaguar scent trails, even from boats on water, using scat samples from Artis's own jaguars. She recently traveled to Brazil for further training and will soon assist researchers from the Bioventura Institute Conservation of Atlantic Forest Fauna in tracking and protecting jaguars in the wild.
Those interested in following the cub's early days can watch the livestream provided by the zoo. For more details on the birth and the cub's progress, visitors can consult Artis Zoo's news.
Discover more about the animals and conservation work at this historic institution on Musemap (musemap.art). You can find more museums and cultural spots or explore the map to plan your next visit.
