Leopard Rehabilitation Center in Sochi Discusses Distinctions Between Kitten and Twin Leopards
The Caucasian Leopard Recovery Centre in an undisclosed location is currently home to a pair of two-month-old kittens, who were born in May 2025 to Shiba and Philou. These kittens, yet to be named, have been actively exploring their enclosure and are growing strong under the watchful eyes of their caretakers.
Since their arrival, the caretakers have been monitoring the family around the clock using cameras installed throughout the centre. The kittens, initially staying in the maternity den, are now developing into formidable predators, learning vital skills from their mother and father.
The centre, established in 2013, has been instrumental in the rehabilitation and release of Caucasian leopards back into the wild. To date, 15 individuals have been successfully released into nature reserves since July 2016. However, the specific timeline for the cubs' stay at the centre before their transport to nature reserves remains unclear.
Traditionally, the kittens are named after geographical locations where Caucasian leopards once lived. But for now, these young leopards remain unnamed, with their unique personalities starting to emerge. The lighter kitten is calm and loves to eat, while the other appears smaller and is more active in play.
Shiba and Philou, the proud parents, arrived at the centre from a Swedish zoo in 2020. Since then, this couple has produced three generations of kittens, demonstrating the success of the centre's breeding programme. The centre focuses on forming breeding pairs in captivity, raising offspring, and preparing animals for life in the wild.
In two years, these young leopards will be transported to nature reserves in the North Caucasus, where they will continue their journey towards independence and eventual integration into the wild. As they grow and learn, they will transform from defenseless kittens into formidable predators, ready to contribute to the conservation efforts of the endangered Caucasian leopard population.
In the home-and-garden segment of their lifestyle, these young Caucasian leopards, who have yet to be named, live in the home-and-garden like enclosure of the Caucasian Leopard Recovery Centre, which is also known for its home-and-garden-like nature reserves. As the coins of the pet trade, these growing kittens will transition from their home and garden in captivity to a nature-oriented home-and-garden in the North Caucasus, becoming formidable predators and contributing to the rehabilitation and conservation of the home-and-garden of the endangered Caucasian leopards.
