They're so cute you'll have to do a double take...
Meet Everest...and Mahlia... 6 week old Snow leopard cubs making their public debut at the Chattanooga Zoo.
Executive Director, Darde Long, says Zoo staff is proud to be part of keeping this special - and endangered - species alive for future generations.
"There's nothing like babies to begin with, but these snow leopards, with their fluffy feet, they're just amazing. And the other thing is they're so rare. They don't breed well in captivity," says Long.
Native to Central Asia, in the wild, Snow Leopard numbers are dimininshing.
And Worldwide, only nine of twelve new cubs born in captivity survived last year... So two healthy cubs are not only a big accomplishment for proud parents Czar and Kasimir, but also for the zoo staff.
"As long as Kasi's doing a great job, we'll keep having babies and contributing, but we're extremely proud of our staff here. I think they're a part of the reason that we're able to do this so well is that they trust their, the snow leopards trust their staff," says Long.
Their ability to relax with the staff is just one of the ways this Snow Leopard pair is unique.
Lisa Flood, the zoo's curator of mammals and birds, says usually solitary animals... These two are inseparable.
And they let zoo staff in on a special event Flood calls a 'privilege'.
"We were actually able to be with her while she gave birth, and that's very very rare. That's mom really trusting you to be right there with her," says Flood.
So far the cubs are sticking together too.
First born Everest wouldn't come too far without Maliha...already offering glimpses of their personalities.
"They've already shown he's a little mama's boy and want's to follow her around. The girl's a little daddy's girl and wants to hang out with him," says Flood.
And as these cuddly cubs grow and learn, the staff looks forward to doing the same...right alongside them.
In Chattanooga, Brittany Shaw, WDEF News 12.
