Two ABQ BioPark Snow Leopards Arrive Safely in León, Mexico

Two female snow leopards from the ABQ BioPark arrived safely at the León Zoo on February 1, 2012 after an easy journey through Mexico. Bella and Carmella, sisters, were moved to make space for other snow leopards in the United States. They are the first snow leopards to be on exhibit at the León Zoo.

"We are very excited about this partnership with Mexico and the Leon Zoo and glad to hear about Bella and Carmella's safe arrival," said Mayor Richard Berry. "They will surely continue to inspire wonder in guests at the Leon Zoo just as they did at the ABQ BioPark."

Bella and Carmella, born on June 6, 2010, were the 6^th and 7^th cubs born to Kachina and Azeo, the ABQ BioPark's breeding pair. Eleven year-old Azeo and 10-year-old Kachina are part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP) for snow leopards. With an estimated 4,000 - 6,000 adults in the wild, snow leopards are considered endangered. The SSP works to maintain genetic diversity and age range of snow leopards at zoos. Kachina and Azeo have helped create one of the most successful breeding programs in the past five years, producing nine cubs together.

Bella and Carmella will be missed by staff and visitors at the ABQ BioPark. They were both playful and active and were often seen stalking the public from their exhibit. In the wild, snow leopard siblings often stick together until they reach breeding age. It has not been determined yet if the sisters will eventually become part of the snow leopard breeding program.

Azeo, the cubs' father, has been off exhibit since the birth of the BioPark's youngest snow leopards, Kiran and Kalmali. Visitors will be soon able to see Azeo again in the exhibit where Bella and Carmella had been living, next door to Kachina and the young cubs.