We told you recently about the birth on July 1 of a rare Amur leopard cub at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, the first of its species at the Zoo in its 144-year history. With fewer than 200 such leopards in the wild, it’s an occasion for a true celebration.
Now it’s had its gender reveal — it’s a boy! — so it’s time for the usual naming competition. It’s given zoo patrons and tiger fans the chance to vote on three names: Boris, Igor and Nikolai, reflecting the leopard’s Russian roots (What? No “Valdimir”?
You can vote by making a donation at FutureForWildlife.org/LeopardNaming. The money raised with benefit conservation programs in the southwestern Primorye region of Russia, home base for the Amur tigers as well as Amur leopards. You can vote through Monday September 28. The cub should be moving into the public space soon! Meanwhile, follow him on the zoo’s social media.