Dublin Zoo today took delivery of a new snow leopard named Titu.
The eight-year old male has been successfully introduced to the zoo's seven-year-old female snow leopard, the zoo said.
Snow leopards generally mate around Christmas time because, in the wild, a gestation of 95-105 days combined with the harsh winter of the Himalayas means cubs have maximum chance of survival if they are born in the mild month of March.
Snow leopards are one of the world's most critically endangered species, and only a couple of hundred remain in the wild due to illegal hunting for their coat.
The coat acts as camouflage to hide the snow leopard in its natural habitat of rocks, snow and little or no vegetation.
Snow leopards enjoy the snow and even have a partial covering of hair on the soles of their feet, allowing traction on the snow.
Dublin Zoo Director Leo Oosterweghel said today's arrival "marks a great opportunity for the zoo. . . . I am delighted to say that the male snow leopard has settled in well with our female".
