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Jaguars are already one of the world's most endangered species, but one of the two new cubs
on display at Zacango Zoo in Mexico is even more rare because it is melanistic. That means
the animal appears completely black, although you can actually see spots if you look carefully.
The two cubs were bred from different mothers and they're the first of their kind to be
born at the zoo for a decade.
"We're very happy in Zacango Zoo. For ten years, we haven't had a birth of this very
important species. It's a Mexican species in danger of extinction and fortunately this
year, finally, they were successfully bred. Now we have two cubs from different mothers
It's something extremely important for the zoo."
Still too fragile to wander freely around the zoo's jaguar enclosure with their parents,
the two cubs currently receive round-the-clock care from keepers, who give the furry felines
a specialist diet of milk, chicken and calcium supplements.
Once revered by pre-Colombian cultures, Mexican jaguars now face possible extinction because
of a loss of habitat and human demand for jaguar fur.
The zoo also recently introduced three African lions which were born in June following a
successful breeding programme.
"These cubs were born on June the 1st. There is one male and two females and they're in
perfect health. Like the jaguars, they were created artificially. Almost all cubs are
created in this way now."
The zoo has announced a drawing competition to help pick names for the new additions.
The recent baby boom at Zacango brings the zoo's total big cat population to 50 - that
includes jaguars, lions and tigers.