The Miami Zoo Is Having A Special Event For Their Rare Clouded Leopards This Sunday
Celebrate International Leopard Day! The Miami Zoo is having a special event for clouded leopards this Sunday in the spirit of the holiday. There will be a special setup on these rare and beautiful wildcats all day Sunday at the zoo. You will learn all about these majestic animals and the critical conservation efforts to revive their dwindling numbers.
The clouded leopard event will be held this weekend on Sunday, August 4 at the Miami Zoo. According to the zoo's events page, the special setup for the leopards will be in front of the zoo's Asian River Life exhibit.
You may even see these rare creatures up close. Visitors at the clouded leopard setup will have a chance to win a special behind-the-scenes encounter with clouded leopards and Asian small-clawed otters, according to the zoo's Instagram announcement.
National Geographic reports that the conservation status of clouded leopards is currently "vulnerable." These cats are dropping in numbers, making urgent conservation efforts vital to saving them from endangerment.
You can watch clouded leopards play and learn more about them below:
According to Nat Geo, clouded leopards are Asian cats that live in rainforests and foothills across Asia. They get their unique name from the soft splotches on their tails. Clouded leopards are often called "modern-day saber tooths," having the largest canine teeth of any wild cat, relative to body size.
Because clouded leopards are so rare and secretive, little is known about their social behavior in the wild. They spend almost all of their lives hidden in trees, according to Just Fun Facts. In fact, they are such strong climbers that they can hang upsidedown from tree trunks, according to Nat Geo.
Check out this awesome event this weekend at the Miami Zoo! Buy tickets for the zoo here.
You can learn more about clouded leopards here. To get involved in conservation efforts for these leopards, go here.
Clouded Leopard Event at the Miami Zoo
Price: $22.95 adults (13+), $18.95 children (3-12), free for children 2 and under and for zoo members
Address: 12400 SW 152nd Street in Miami
When: Sunday, August 4
Why you need to go: Education and awareness are key to saving these beautiful and rare clouded leopards!
The Miami Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) which means they have passed a rigorous application and inspection process and meet or exceed the AZA's standards for animal health and welfare, fundraising, zoo staffing, and involvement in global conservation efforts. More about their ethics can be found here.