Visitors to Marwell Zoo will now be able to say hello to Warjun, a beautiful male snow leopard now living at the zoo.
One-year-old Warjun, who will be two in May, travelled from the Czech Republic on Monday, March 25 and arrived at his new home at Marwell on Tuesday, March 26.
He joins Irina, the zoo’s female snow leopard, in Marwell’s snow leopard habitat.
Part of the snow leopard area will be temporarily closed off to guests while Warjun settles into his new home, but the website will be updated when it fully reopens.
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Irina will be visible on the other side of the snow leopard habitat whilst Warjun gets used to his new surroundings.
Carnivores Team Leader, Carrie Arnold, said: “Warjun is a really exciting new arrival to the zoo. He’s doing incredibly well since arriving and we’ve seen lots of positive behaviours as he starts exploring his new home.
“Irina has been quite curious about him and we’re hopeful they’re going to get along well.
“While he settles in, Warjun and Irina will be kept on separate sides of the snow leopard house but they can see each other and will start to get used to each other during this time.
“We’re hopeful they will get along and enjoy the snow leopard extension together when it opens later this year.
"Warjun is a young animal and we hope one day he will play a vital role in securing the future of this species."
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Known as the ‘Ghost of the Mountains’, snow leopards live amongst the rugged landscapes of 12 countries in Central and South Asia and their conservation has never been more critical.
It is thought there are around 8,000 snow leopards in the wild but the exact number is unknown as they are extremely elusive.
While the snow leopard is a top predator in its mountain ecosystem, human activities pose serious threats to these beautiful cats.
These include habitat degradation, retaliatory killings by livestock farmers and the illegal trade in fur, bones and body parts.
Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, with Marwell saying it is 'proud' to be working with partners in China, Bhutan, Kazakhstan and across international borders to protect the future of snow leopards.
Marwell is looking forward to opening an extension to its snow leopard habitat later this year and is inviting supporters to donate towards this work.
More information can be found online at marwell.org.uk.
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