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The Greenville Zoo has unveiled three rare triplet Amur leopard cubs going on exhibit in
the Asia Area. The female cubs were three of five Amur leopards born in North American
zoos in 2010. The zoo�s long-time resident Anya, a 12-year-old female Amur leopard, will transfer to another zoo to
become a companion to a leopard as well as serve as an ambassador for her species.The one-year-old female cubs - Jade, Emerald and Clover, all named in recognition of their St. Patrick�s Day birthday � were transferred from the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana, on March 30, to bolster the Greenville Zoo�s participation in the Amur Leopard Species Survival Plan (SSP). The program is responsible for maintaining a genetically healthy population of Amur leopards in North American zoos.
The female cubs will make their public debut just in time for the zoo�s annual Animal Enrichment Day scheduled for Saturday, April 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event provides zoo guests with a rare opportunity to see a wide variety of unique environmental enrichment and training activities. The new leopard cubs will receive Boomer Ball enrichment toys purchased by William and Jen York as a welcoming gift. Animal Enrichment Day will also feature activities for zoo guests including a children�s scavenger hunt with prizes. Joy, the zoo�s female African elephant, will host the final enrichment activity at 2:30 p.m. The unique paintings she creates will be sold in the Safari Shop with all proceeds benefiting the zoo�s animal enrichment program. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), Greenville Zoo is rated one of the best tourist attractions in South Carolina, attracting over 270,000 people annually. Operated by the City of Greenville, the 14- acre facility features wildlife from around the world including giraffes, monkeys, giant tortoises and elephants. Visitors can also enjoy one of the zoo�s most popular exhibits, the Reptile Building, which is home to a variety of lizards, frogs, turtles and snakes. The Greenville Zoo is open seven days a week, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The zoo�s hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the gates close at 5 p.m. For more information about the Greenville Zoo, visit www.greenvillezoo.com or become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/greenvillezoo or twitter at twitter.com/greenvillezoo. (Image provided by the Greenville Zoo.)
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According to Greenville Zoo Director Jeff Bullock, the Amur leopards are nearing extinction with only about 200 left
in zoos and fewer than 40 remaining in the wild. �The Greenville Zoo has taken an active role in Amur Leopard
conservation by participating in the SSP and supporting ALTA, the Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance,� said
Greenville Zoo Director Jeff Bullock. �Once the cubs have matured, they will be matched with suitable males in the
hopes of increasing the captive population to a sustainable point.� 