Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent has hosted clouded leopards since the late 60s and has in place a successful breeding programme for what is one of the most elusive of the big cats. And it is a programme that has just brought four new cubs to the park.

The newest arrivals were set to greet the waiting crowds, and wait they did about two hours before the 8-week-old cubs finally made an appearance. Howletts has bred over 30 cubs since they were first introduced to the zoo, which is a phenomenal achievement as the tropical forest dwelling leopards are notoriously difficult customers when it comes to procreation in captivity. However, such endeavour is important, counteracting the danger the species faces due to deforestation in its native region of South East Asia.

So, if you’re willing to sit and wait then it is likely your patience will be rewarded with a glimpse of all four of the shy and extremely cute cubs. Did I mention that the clouded leopard also has the longest canine teeth relative to body size of any big cat?

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