New Snow Leopard Arrives At Cape May County Zoo

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NJ — The Cape May County Zoo is now home to an 8-year old female snow leopard named Maliha.

Dr. Alexander Ernst, an associate veterinarian at the zoo, said Maliha came from the Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island. She will be paired up with the male snow leopard Bataar to continue the Cape May County Zoo’s successful breeding program.

Maliha was sent to the Cape May County Zoo by the Species Survival Plan (SSP) as a strong genetic match for the zoo’s male snow leopard.

“Our zoo veterinarians, Dr. Hubert Paluch, and Dr. Alex Ernst, and the zoo staff have had great success working with the SSP in the area of conservation," said County Commissioner E. Marie Hayes, liaison to the County Park and Zoo. "The work of our zoo staff with snow leopards and other endangered species is well known and a great source of pride for Cape May County."

It is estimated there are approximately 3,500 to 7,000 snow leopards left, and they are considered endangered and facing extinction. They live for 15 to 18 years in the wild and can live for up to 25 years in zoos.

Maliha can be viewed every day at the Walter Trettin Snow Leopard Habitat.

The Cape May County Park and Zoo are open daily. The zoo is open from 10 a.m. until 3:30 pm. The park is open from 7 a.m. until dusk. The zoo is free to the public and accepts donations that contribute to the care of the animals.

Social distancing and masks are required for those over age 2. Visitors are asked to follow directional signage to maintain social distance while in the zoo.

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