Rare Sri Lankan leopard gives birth to 3 cubs in Singapore Zoo

SINGAPORE – Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs were born in the zoo on Jan 1, bringing the population of the rare animal at Mandai Wildlife Reserve to seven.

The last time the leopard had a cub in Mandai was nearly 30 years ago, in 1997. The Singapore Zoo is now home to six Sri Lankan leopards. One more leopard is at the Night Safari.

Mandai Wildlife Reserve, in a Jan 23 post on social media platform Instagram, said the cubs and their mum are enjoying their time together behind closed doors.

However, a sneak peek of the cubs is available on the live cam at the Singapore Zoo leopard exhibit, it added.

Mr Anand Kumar, Mandai Wildlife Group’s curator for animal care (operations), said it was the first litter for proud parents Asanka and Yala, with Yala’s pregnancy confirmed in October 2025.

He added that Yala has been “an exceptional mother”.

“She’s attentive, calm, and constantly keeping an eye on her lively triplets as they nurse, chirp with playful squeaks, and explore their nest box with growing curiosity,” Mr Kumar said.

“It has been a joy for all of us to watch them grow stronger each day.”

There are fewer than 800 Sri Lankan leopards in the wild, where they feed on animals like deer and wild boar.

The big cats live between 10 and 12 years in the wild, but can reach up to 20 years in captivity.

The Sri Lankan leopard can see well both in the dark and during the day. Its fur makes it a master of camouflage amid foliage, helping it to stay hidden from its biggest threats – poachers who hunt it for its fur.

Mandai appears to be in the grip of a small baby boom.

Just a few days after New Year’s Day, two capybara pups were born, the first in about a decade. The two pups, which have not been named, bring capybara numbers at Mandai to 13.

Capybaras are the world’s largest rodents, and the two pups and their mother can be seen near the Amazon River Quest boat ride in the River Wonders part of the wildlife park.

Visitors can also see the capybaras at the Once Upon A River presentation and the Amazonia Encounters walk-through exhibit.

Toddler techno rave

Meanwhile, children can look forward to an exciting afternoon of nursery rhyme remixes with the whole family at a toddler party.

On Jan 31, parents and children aged from one to five can attend Lenny’s Toddler Techno Tour at the Green Canvas in Mandai, where they will be treated to nursery rhymes and children’s songs remixed into fun, family-friendly techno beats that keep energy levels high.

Tickets priced from $69 per person for the hour-long shows can be bought from Trip.com.

Lenny Pearce is a family entertainer and a pioneer in toddler techno and baby raves. His performance at Mandai is set to be highly interactive, with dance-along songs and movement-based segments that encourage rhythm, play and participation for tiny ravers.