Too cute! First pictures of rare clouded Leopard cubs released



TACOMA -- The first pictures of four clouded leopard cubs born last week at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma were released Tuesday.

In their first photos, their eyes are still closed, and the practiced hands of caring zookeepers guide their eager mouths to the bottles.

Being such hungry kiddos, it doesn't take long for them to get their fill of formula, zoo officials said.

The smallest of the cubs weighs just 11.11 ounces; the largest, 12.41. That’s about the same weight as a box of corn flakes. Two of them will fit in the palms of a zookeeper’s hands, eat east voraciously and shouldn't be too small for too long.

The quadruplets were born May 12 to Chai Li (pronounced Chai-Lye). Their father is her mate, Nah Fun.

They are not yet on exhibit. The zoo will announce later this month when the public will be able to see them and reveal details on how and when they’ll be named.

Clouded leopards, named for their thundercloud markings, are so shy and elusive it’s impossible to know how many of these cats remain in the wild. Fewer than 100 live in accredited North American zoos