Trunkline Magazine (Louisville Zoo) September 2018 | Page 6

Existing Tiger
View Shelter
Existing Tiger
Exhibit
Snow Leopard
Overlook
(Holding Below)
Cliff-Side
Habitat
Base Camp
Education &
Interpretive
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ass
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ase Ma
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fascinating
area of the
world. The class-
room will also feature a
slide so kids can climb just like
the snow leopards — an entertain-
ing experience for kids and likely
the snow leopards too.
These FEBRUARY
are just 24,
a few
2017 new enrich-
ing features that will give the cats
more places to explore, more op-
portunities to encounter guests and
more ways to interact with their
keepers. More choices and enrich-
ment means better animal welfare,
an essential consideration in the
exhibit design puzzle for modern
accredited zoos. You will also have
more chances to be enthralled and
learn the powerful story of this
The design plans for Snow Leopard
Pass including exhibits, viewing, and
pathways.
Although most of the physical
amazing
aspects of the exhibit will be com-
species.
The Lou- pleted by this fall, the keepers will
spend the winter getting to know
isville Zoo
the lay of the land, outfitting work
also had
some unique spaces, establishing and practicing
new safety protocols and of course,
challenges
taking a lot of time to train and
to consider
help the snow leopards acclimate
for this ex-
hibit. Kimti, our to their new habitat. If you're lucky,
you may even catch a glimpse of
special needs
the snow leopards exploring their
6-year-old male
new space from time to time.
snow leopard,
While we share their challeng-
requires extra atten-
ing story with you and care for the
tion because he was
precious animals here in Louisville,
born with a medical
we want to remind you that with
condition that affects his
your help (visits and memberships),
vision. What originated as
we also commit financial resources
Leopard Leap, designed to
to field conservationists through the
allow the snow leopards to use
Snow Leopard Trust, an organiza-
their tremendous leaping abilities
tion helping snow leopards in the
across vast spaces, is now Snow
Himalayas through research, moni-
Leopard Pass. This presents a safer
toring snow leopard populations
but still adventuresome option for
and public outreach. Snow Leopard
Kimti and the other snow leopards
Trust works with local communities
that will live there including 3-year-
to shore up commitments to protect
old female NeeCee that arrived last
these majestic cats. Recent efforts
year, and a new 1-year-old male
included helping
locals to purchase
joining us later in 2018 from Los
Illustrative
Site Plan
and build livestock corrals in N an
Angeles. The snow leopard Species
20’
40’
to protect
both 80’ livestock and
Survival Plan (SSP) arranged for this 0’ effort
leopards.
new arrival. (SSPs are a coordinated
Long-term partner Whittenberg
effort to manage threatened or en-
Construction is heading up the
dangered species, facilitate healthy
construction efforts for these two
and genetically diverse populations
new exhibits as well as generously
in managed care and create a safe-
supporting the Zoo's 50th Anniver-
guard for animals facing extinc-
sary celebration in 2019. We invite
tion in the vanishing wild.) Snow
you to experience Snow Leopard
Leopard Pass will also include an
Pass and Colobus Crossing next
outdoor behind-the-scenes yard to
spring and join us in celebrating
provide better options for training,
a half-century of amazing stories
animal care and management of
about the Louisville Zoo — includ-
multiple leopards. A maternity den
ing your own!
will be added as a provision for any
future cubs.
L E O PA R D L E A P E X H I B I T S
Did you know?
Your Zoo has won three distinguished awards from the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums (AZA) , the accrediting organization for Zoos, for its contributions to innova-
tive zoo exhibit design for Glacier Run, Gorilla Forest and the rotational Islands exhibit.
6 • Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Fall 2018