Meet Keira: The UK’s Only Jaguar Cub Takes Her First Steps Outside!
Keira, the adorable Jaguar cub, ventured outdoors for the first time on Friday, 7th July. Alongside her mother Kedera, she quickly got comfortable, romping through bamboo and scaling beams.
First Jaguar Cub Born at Paradise Wildlife Park
Keira was born on 2nd April 2017, marking a milestone as the first Jaguar cub at Paradise Wildlife Park. Even more exciting? She’s currently the only Jaguar cub in the entire UK. Her parents, Kumal and Kedera, were introduced 18 months ago and hit it off instantly.
To help Keira bond with her mum and build confidence, she’s now on display separately from her dad, Kumal. This allows her to play safely on smaller climbing structures before their big enclosure extension is ready.
Conservation Win for a ‘Near Threatened’ Species
With Jaguars labelled ‘near threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Keira’s birth is a massive cause for celebration. Keepers are closely monitoring the duo during this vulnerable stage, but so far, the cub’s progress has delighted the team.
Paradise Wildlife Park is one of only two UK zoos, and six across Europe, approved to breed Jaguars under the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). ZSH Director Lynn Whitnall said:
“We are all delighted that Keira has had her final vet inoculations and is now outside, playing and enjoying the sun. Our breeding programmes, especially for Big Cats, have seen fantastic success.”
She added: “I’m incredibly proud of the staff and keepers at Paradise for their dedication – and of course Kumal and Kedera for making this possible. What better way to launch our new charity, the Zoological Society of Hertfordshire (ZSH)?”
Paradise Plans Bigger Home for Special Cubs
With Keira growing fast, Paradise Wildlife Park is expanding its Jaguar enclosure to give mum and cub plenty more room to roam.
Established in 1984, Paradise Wildlife Park is famed for its conservation and breeding successes. To date, it’s funneled over £5 million to global and local wildlife and charitable projects.
- Part of the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme
- Recent births include Jaguars, African Penguins, Lar Gibbons, Cotton Top Tamarins, Silvery Marmosets, and Red Ruffed Lemurs
- Highly recommended to breed Snow Leopards and Red Pandas
- First European zoo to win double Platinum Awards for fundraising tiger and lemur conservation efforts
Paradise continues to be an active force in British, European, and global wildlife conservation.
