8-Week Checkup for Snow Leopard
Cubs at Hogle Zoo
The cubs had their first 8-week veterinary checkup.
Resident snow leopard cubs at Utah’s Hogle Zoo had their first 8-week veterinary checkup on July 31, 2024.
Hogle Zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams were joined by an ophthalmologist from MedVet to conduct the wellness exam. This 8-week checkup is a routine practice that allows our teams to evaluate the two cubs’ overall health.
Dr. Lauren Smith, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, one of the zoo’s veterinarians, conducted a comprehensive health examination on the cubs, which included assessing their body conditions and administering necessary vaccinations. Dr. Jaycie Riesberg, an ophthalmologist from MedVet, performed detailed eye exams, and both cubs’ eyes looked great. Eye exams are a unique practice to snow leopards, who are especially prone to ocular issues. The animal care staff also weighed the cubs, with one weighing 4.6 lbs and the other 4.2 lbs.
Since their birth in early June, the two cubs have stayed close to their mom without keeper intervention. This time behind-the-scenes was especially helpful for Babs, a very protective first-time mom, as it provided ample bonding time for the new family. Keepers also had time to slowly build Babs’ existing trust and training so she would feel comfortable while her cubs were away during their exams.
The 8-week checkup, standard timing to receive their first set of vaccinations, was the first time our animal care and veterinary teams have been hands-on with the cubs.
After the checkup, the cubs were given a “straw bath,” covered in substrate with scents familiar to their mom to help them reunite calmly and comfortably. Both cubs did very well and are in great health!
They’ll receive two more rounds of vaccinations before guests can expect to see them this fall. During this time behind-the-scenes, keepers are building trusting relationships with the cubs and beginning early training to help them participate in their future care. The animal care team is also assessing and modifying the cubs’ future outdoor habitats to ensure they can safely explore and navigate the space.
Thanks to our amazing teams and partners for their commitment to care, and congratulations to the amazing first-time mom Babs on a clean bill of health for both her cubs.
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Animal care and health teams collaborated closely to develop a plan tailored to Babs and her cubs. On the day of the checkup, each team member took a COVID-19 test to ensure the cubs’ safety, as snow leopards are among the most sensitive felines to the virus. Animal care team members wore thick gloves to protect both themselves and the cubs, who were handled by supporting their weight and gripping them by the scruff, just like their mother does. The zoo’s animal care team and veterinary team, alongside specialists from MedVet, conducted the exam. Once the checkup was complete, both cubs were carefully returned to their mom.
The preparation for the checkup began well before exam day. Babs’ keeper team gradually introduced short separations from her cubs, providing her with “mom time” filled with attention and treats. Thanks to her trusting relationship with her care team, Babs remained calm and content throughout. This process started once Babs began spending time outside the den, with separations gradually increasing in length. It was always Babs’ choice to participate, and as the cubs grew more active, she embraced her “mom time” alone before her cubs returned.
The exam was at the zoo, in one of our behind-the-scenes areas in Asian Highlands. Hogle Zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams were joined by an internal medicine doctor and an ophthalmologist from MedVet to conduct the wellness exam!
Identifying gender in big cats can be tricky, and it will likely be a while before we can determine the gender of Babs’ cubs. Stay tuned for future CUBdates!
Body condition is a routine part of an exam to make sure they’re growing and developing as we expect.
Our teams look at their weight and overall health to assess body condition.
Veterinarians use things like alcohol on cubs to clean and prepare vaccine sites, which is a strong scent for moms to smell on their cubs. After their exam, we used straw from their spaces, so Babs was familiar with that scent. Once the checkup was complete, we reunited the cubs with Babs, and they’re doing great!
After their 8-week checkup, the cubs were returned to mom Babs. They’ll receive two more rounds of vaccinations before guests can expect to see them this fall. During this time behind-the-scenes, keepers are building trusting relationships with the cubs and beginning early training to help them participate in their future care. The animal care team is also assessing and modifying the cubs’ future outdoor habitats to ensure they can safely explore and navigate the space.
The cubs will continue to stay behind-the-scenes with mom, and guests can expect to visit them this fall.
Utah's Hogle Zoo
