Rare Jaguar Cub Takes First Outdoor Steps at Paradise Wildlife Park
Keira, the UK’s only jaguar cub, has taken her first steps outdoors at Paradise Wildlife Park today, Friday 7th July. The adventurous youngster was seen playing among bamboo and climbing beams, all under the watchful eye of her mother, Kedera.
The UK’s Only Jaguar Cub
Born on 2nd April 2017, Keira is the very first jaguar cub to arrive at Paradise Wildlife Park. Her parents, Kumal and Kedera, were introduced 18 months ago and quickly bonded. Now, Keira is exploring a dedicated area of the enclosure separate from her father, allowing mother and cub to form a strong bond and for Keira to build confidence with smaller climbing challenges before their home is expanded.
Conservation Success Story
Jaguars are listed as ‘near threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), making Keira’s birth a significant win for conservationists.
Paradise Wildlife Park is one of just two UK zoos and six across Europe authorised to breed jaguars under the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). Keepers remain vigilant during this vulnerable early stage, but so far, they are very happy with Keira’s progress.
Park’s Proud Moment
“We are all delighted that Keira has now had her final inoculations and is outside playing and having fun in the sun,” said ZSH Director Lynn Whitnall. “The breeding programmes at Paradise have had fantastic results, especially with our Big Cats. I’m incredibly proud of the staff and keepers whose hard work has made this possible – not to mention Kumal and Kedera, of course! Keira’s arrival is a brilliant way to celebrate the launch of our new charity, the Zoological Society of Hertfordshire.”
Expanding For The Future
Paradise Wildlife Park is currently working on enlarging the jaguar enclosure to provide more space for Keira and her mother. The park, established in 1984, is renowned for its conservation efforts and has contributed over £5 million to wildlife projects worldwide.
Its success in breeding endangered species also includes African penguins, lar gibbons, cotton-top tamarins, silvery marmosets, and red ruffed lemurs. Paradise is also recommended for breeding snow leopards and red pandas and proudly holds Platinum Awards for fundraising efforts in tiger and lemur conservation.
Keep your eyes peeled for more updates as Keira grows and explores her world at Paradise Wildlife Park!
