Ocelot Kitten Born at Woodland Park Zoo: Begin Collective 'Awww'
Photo credit: Jamie Delk/Woodland Park Zoo
The zoo baby was born January 15 at the Woodland Park Zoo to momma Bella and poppa Brazil, both experienced kitten raisers. Bella and baby are off view in a secluded birthing den and being monitored via den-cam. In typical daddy ocelot fashion, Brazil is doing his own thing and is on public view in the Tropical Rain Forest exhibit.
While this press shot is maybe not the most adorable kitten picture we have ever seen (what is this guy, hung over?) the video montage below of baby waddling around all fat and fresh is pretty excellent.
The gender of baby is not yet confirmed, nor is it named. It will stay out of the public eye for at least another month, but you can always peep the Woodland Park Zoo's website and YouTube to check for updated videos.
Ocelots are noctural and secretive and are about four times the size of your housecat. Their range is throughout Mexico, Central and South America to northern Argentina, with remnant populations in the southwestern United States. They are endangered due to poaching them for fur and pets and it is estimated that only 100 remain in the U.S.
The new kitten is part of the Ocelot Species Survival Plan (SSP), which ensures genetic diversity on zoo populations of endangered or threatened species. Also I am co-opting him to be part of the Longest Workweek Ever Survivial Plan (LWESP), which ensures amble cuteness and procrastination to tedious and otherwise draining days.
