A four-week-old albino puma cub born in captivity and considered an endangered species, plays with its mother at Thomas Belt Zoo in Juigalpa, Nicaragua, on August 23, 2023.Photo:Oswald Rivas/AFP via Getty
Oswald Rivas/AFP via Getty
A zoo in Nicaragua experienced something out of the ordinary: a puma giving birth to an albino cub.
The Thomas Belt Zoo in Juigalpa announced that the surprising birth occurred last month,Reutersreported. Carlos Molina, a veterinarian at the zoo, believes that the snow white puma cub is one of only four pumas with albinism worldwide, per the outlet.
“He is healthy, his body is in good condition,” Molina toldAFPof the male cub.
According to theNational Wildlife Federation,the body of a puma, also known as a mountain lion, is generally covered in tawny-beige fur except for a whitish-gray belly and chest.
A four-week-old albino puma cub, born in captivity and considered an endangered species, is pictured next to its brother at Thomas Belt Zoo in Juigalpa, Nicaragua, on August 23, 2023.Oswald Rivas/AFP via Getty
Molina said the cub has a vulnerability to sunlight, per Reuters. The outlet also reported that the cub and its beige-colored siblings are being kept in a sealed enclosure as a precaution. The zoo told Reuters that the mother puma could attack her cubs if she confuses human odors with the scent coming from her kids.
A four-week-old albino puma cub, born in captivity and considered an endangered species, plays with its mother at Thomas Belt Zoo in Juigalpa, Nicaragua, on August 23, 2023.Oswald Rivas/AFP via Getty
If raised in captivity, the puma’s life span can last 21 years, according to the National Wildlife Federation.
At the moment, the albino cub is living in a private enclosure. In an August 22Facebookpost, the zoo wrote: “The director of the Thomas Belt Zoo informs the families of Chontales, Nicaragua and the media that, on the recommendations of the veterinarian of our institution, access is being restricted to the cubicle where the cougar born with the rare condition is being hosted of albinism.”
“We are an institution committed to animal welfare, and we are striving to provide the best conditions the breed requires for its survival. We hope to allow your appreciation and enjoyment in a little while,” the post continued.
PEOPLE reached out to the Thomas Belt Zoo for additional comment.
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“Giraffe experts believe she is the only solid-colored reticulated giraffe living anywhere on the planet,” Bright said of the female calf, who is already six feet tall.
source: people.com
