Earlier this month, the Novosibirsk Zoo in Siberia excitedly shared on VK.com the news that three female Pallas’ Cats had welcomed a total of 16 adorable wild kittens with striking blue eyes. Unfortunately, the exact dates of their births were not disclosed at that time. Tatyana Pevneva, who heads the International Cooperation Department at Novosibirsk Zoo, revealed that the first female gave birth on June 1, 2020, followed by the second on June 7, and the third on June 11. The litter sizes varied, with one female having three kittens, another with five, and the third with an impressive eight kittens. Interestingly, as Pallas’ Cats mature, their eyes transition from bright blue to green and eventually turn yellow. The zoo staff is keeping a close eye on the kittens’ development, but it’s too early to predict what their future holds.
In Novosibirsk Zoo, a pair of delightful kittens are energetically playing in their enclosure. These charming little creatures are Pallas’ Cats, a species that has been part of the zoo since 1995. To support conservation efforts, these kittens are sent to zoos worldwide through international and European programs. Today, their offspring can be found in countries like Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, France, Switzerland, Austria, and Great Britain.
Breeding Pallas’ Cats in captivity is a tough task due to their high mortality rate, making them a vulnerable species. These cats naturally inhabit rocky deserts and semi-arid regions from Central Asia to Mongolia. Sadly, they face extinction threats from habitat destruction and poaching for their fur.
Despite the challenges, these lively kittens bring happiness and optimism for the future survival of their endangered species.
Over at the Novosibirsk Zoo, there’s a mama Pallas’s Cat and two adorable little furballs that have been stealing the hearts of many visitors. These cats are pretty rare, with only around 12,000 of them hanging out in the wilds of Russia, according to the WWF. And believe it or not, there are just 30 Pallas’s Cats chilling in captivity at Russian zoos as of the end of 2019, according to Pevneva.
The kittens at the Novosibirsk Zoo are still a bit shy around strangers, like visitors, but every now and then they’ll pop out of hiding for a quick peek before scampering back to safety. However, the zoo staff have noticed that these little ones are getting more comfortable with all the attention, so your chances of spotting them are on the rise. Who knows, you might just luck out and catch a glimpse of these adorable critters during your visit!
