Latest news with #SimonJackaman
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Spots of joy: Snow leopard cub born at UK Sanctuary
This tiny ball of fur, nicknamed Little Lady, was born at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent on 10 May. The snow leopard cub was born to mother Laila who is part of the sanctuary's breeding weighed just 630g when she had her first health check at five days old. Snow leopards are a vulnerable species Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list. There are an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the change is having an impact on them, with a predicted loss of 30% of their habitat in the next 50 to 100 are also threatened by poachers who hunt them for the illegal wildlife trade. Conservationists say that breeding programmes are really important for the future of the species. Little Lady was born to Laila, who has lived at the sanctuary for a long time. This is her fourth litter as part of the sanctuary's breeding programme. She has previously had two male cubs, Koshi and Khumbu, in 2019 and another male cub, Shen, in 2021. Laila then became a mother to twins, Attan and Zaya (one male, one female), in 2023. The sanctuary are also praising Laila's primary trainer Simon Jackaman for the birth of Little say that the trust he built with her meant she let the vet do the ultrasound sessions voluntarily. Mr Jackaman said: "Snow leopards are naturally shy and elusive, so Laila amazed the sanctuary staff with her "calm nature" during the process."Little Lady is now doing really well under the care of Laila and the Big Cat Sanctuary team.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Kent big cat sanctuary welcomes new snow leopard cub
An animal sanctuary has announced the birth of a snow leopard cub after months of dedicated cub, nicknamed Little Lady, was born at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent, on 10 successful birth follows months of work by primary trainer Simon Jackaman, who built the trust necessary for mother Laila to voluntarily participate in ultrasound chef and charity ambassador Paul Hollywood said: "Laila has had a special place in my heart for many years and to see her become a mum for the fourth time is truly heart-warming." Little Lady weighed 630g (1.4lb) at her first health check when she was five days is just the second female snow leopard to be born at the centre, after her sister Zaya in Laila has had three previous litters with breeding partner Yarko as part of the sanctuary's breeding leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list, with an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the wild. They are predicted to lose 30% of their habitat because of climate change in the next 50 to 100 years and they also face threats from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade."This birth is a testament to our commitment to the participation in the endangered species breeding programme and the conservation of this vulnerable species," said Cam Whitnall, managing director of The Big Cat Sanctuary. Additional reporting from PA Media.
The Independent
5 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Watch: Rare snow leopard cub born in Kent following groundbreaking ultrasound
A rare snow leopard cub has been born at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, marking what conservationists are calling an 'amazing achievement' in the effort to save this endangered species. The female cub, affectionately nicknamed 'Little Lady,' was born on May 10, following a groundbreaking ultrasound in April that confirmed mother Laila's pregnancy. Trainer Simon Jackaman, who spent months preparing Laila, said her calm and composed response defied expectations for such a famously shy species. 'Laila has had a special place in my heart for many years and to see her become a mum for the fourth time is truly heartwarming,' said Jackaman. Little Lady is the newest addition to Laila's growing family and the younger sister to three previous cubs.
The Independent
5 days ago
- General
- The Independent
‘Little Lady' snow leopard cub revealed to the world for first time
A snow leopard cub has been born at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, following months of preparation. The cub, nicknamed "Little Lady", was born on May 10 and weighed 630g at her first health check five days later. Her birth follows months of work by primary trainer Simon Jackaman, who built the trust necessary for the mother, Laila, to voluntarily participate in ultrasound sessions conducted by the sanctuary's veterinarian, Valerie Freeman. Mr Jackaman said snow leopards are naturally shy and elusive, so Leila amazed the sanctuary staff with her "calm nature" during the process. Ambassador for The Big Cat Sanctuary, Paul Hollywood, said he "cannot wait" to meet the new cub. He said: 'Laila has had a special place in my heart for many years and to see her become a mum for the fourth time is truly heartwarming. 'This is an amazing achievement for the sanctuary to be contributing to the captive breeding programme for this endangered species. I cannot wait to meet her.' Little Lady is reportedly thriving under the care of Laila and the Big Cat Sanctuary team. Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, with an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the wild. They are predicted to lose 30 per cent of their habitat because of climate change in the next 50 to 100 years and they also face threats from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. Laila has had three previous litters with breeding partner Yarko as part of the sanctuary's breeding programme. The first litter in 2019 was of two males, Koshi and Khumbu, with another male cub, Shen, arriving in 2021 before she had twins in 2023 – Attan, a male, and Zaya, which was the first female snow leopard born at the centre. 'This birth is a testament to our commitment to the participation in the endangered species breeding programme and the conservation of this vulnerable species,' said Cam Whitnall, managing director of The Big Cat Sanctuary.
The Independent
13-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Sanctuary confirms snow leopard's fourth pregnancy
An animal sanctuary has confirmed that one of its snow leopards is pregnant after the endangered big cat underwent an ultrasound scan. The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent says it is 'thrilled' that Laila is pregnant for the fourth time. The centre was able to confirm the pregnancy after primary trainer Simon Jackaman built up the animal's trust for it to participate in the ultrasound sessions carried out by the sanctuary's veterinarian Valerie Freeman. A spokeswoman said: 'This remarkable co-operation overcomes the natural shyness and elusiveness of snow leopards, allowing the keeping team to proactively prepare for the safe and successful arrival of Laila's cub(s). 'This is only the second time a snow leopard pregnancy has been confirmed via ultrasound at The Big Cat Sanctuary, highlighting the innovative approach to their care.' Mr Jackaman said: 'Laila continues to amaze us with her calm nature and willingness to engage in this process. 'It's a testament to the relationship we've built over the years. We are over the moon that the ultrasound has now confirmed that Laila will be expecting her fourth litter.' Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the wild. They are predicted to lose 30% of their habitat because of climate change in the next 50 to 100 years and they also face threats from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. The Big Cat Sanctuary aims to help maintain a genetically healthy captive population through its breeding programme which has already seen Laila have previous litters. The first litter in 2019 was of two males, Koshi and Khumbu, with another male cub, Shen, arriving in 2021 before she had twins in 2023 – Attan, a male, and Zaya, which was the first female snow leopard born at the centre. The sanctuary's staff are making preparations for the arrival of the next litter in May or June by 'cub-proofing' the den. The spokeswoman added: 'Once the cub(s) are born, standard health checks will be carried out, and following their vaccinations at around 12 weeks, they will take their first exciting steps outside. 'This momentous occasion underscores The Big Cat Sanctuary's unwavering commitment to snow leopard conservation and its aspiration to be a leading centre for breeding excellence. 'Laila's fourth confirmed pregnancy is not only a triumph for the sanctuary but also a beacon of hope for one of the world's most elusive and endangered big cat species.'
