Vet health check reveals sex of viral snow leopard cub at Chester Zoo

A rare snow leopard cub, which has quickly become a viral sensation after videos of its playful antics in its den were shared online, has had its first health check with Chester Zoo’s vets.

The cub was examined, sexed, weighed and vaccinated by the zoo’s specialist vets and carnivore keepers - and it has been revealed as a female.

Born on 10 June 2025 to first-time parents Nubra and Yashin, the tiny cat spent the first few weeks of life curled up in a den with mum - where the pair’s adorable moments have been captivating millions of people online and around the globe.

Keepers say the playful new arrival is growing in strength and confidence every day, with mum Nubra watching over her new cub closely.

Mark Brayshaw, Head of Mammals at Chester Zoo, said:

“At eight weeks old, the cub has undergone the first of two all-important health checks. These quick examinations by the zoo’s vets are really important for us to make sure the cub is healthy and in good physical condition. We recorded the cub’s weight, checked its heartbeat, eyes and teeth before swiftly returning the cub to mum Nubra. As a first-time mum she is fiercely protective, so we really didn't want to hang around!

“We’re very happy to report that the cub was given a clean bill of health and we can finally reveal that it is indeed a female. Now comes one of the toughest tasks of all - choosing a name worthy of such a special arrival.

“What matters most though, is that we have a thriving cub that represents real hope for this magnificent species. Snow leopards are disappearing from the wild, and every birth is a vital step forward for the conservation breeding programme. Here at Chester, we’re combining this work with vital projects in Asia alongside the Snow Leopard Trust, and together, we’re determined to secure a future where these iconic big cats can once again thrive.”

Parents Nubra and Yashin were carefully paired together at Chester Zoo in 2024 as part of an international conservation breeding programme that’s working to protect snow leopards from extinction. Their cub is the result of a coordinated global effort to create a healthy safety-net population in the world’s leading conservation zoos.

Listed as Vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), only around 4,000 snow leopards remain in the wild. The species is under growing threat from habitat loss, climate change, poaching and human-wildlife conflict.

Snow Leopard Fact File: 

• Scientific Name: Panthera uncia 

• Habitat: High mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, including the Himalayas 

• IUCN Status: Vulnerable to extinction  

• Threats in the Wild: Habitat loss, poaching and human-wildlife conflict 

• Distinctive Features: Thick fur for insulation, large paws for balance on steep terrain, and a long tail for balance and warmth. 

• Adaptations: Exceptional leaping and athletic ability, enabling them to cover great distances in pursuit of prey animals. 

• Conservation Status: Chester Zoo actively participates in conservation breeding programs to support the survival of snow leopards. 

Pictured - A snow leopard cub – the first of its kind to be ever born at Chester Zoo.