Submitted Photo Zorinka, a 3-year-old female Amur leopard, has arrived at Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot from the San Diego Zoo.

Visitors to Roosevelt Park Zoo may “spot” a new face in the Amur Leopard Forest Habitat.

Zorinka, a 3-year-old female Amur leopard, has arrived from the San Diego Zoo following a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Amur Leopard Species Survival

Plan.

She will join the Minot zoo’s male Amur leopard, Jordan, as part of an effort to help ensure the future of one of the world’s rarest big cats, according to Roosevelt Park Zoo information.

Amur leopards are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with fewer than 100 individual Amur leopards remaining in the wild. The species is native to the temperate forests of eastern Russia and northeastern China, where habitat loss, declining prey populations, poaching and illegal wildlife trade continue to threaten its survival.

Through participation in the AZA Species Survival Plan, Roosevelt Park Zoo is contributing to the long-term conservation of the species by helping maintain a healthy and genetically diverse population in human care. The hope is that collaborative breeding efforts today will help safeguard the species for generations to come.

“Zorinka’s arrival is a double win for our community,” said Roosevelt Park Zoo Director Dr. Logan Wood. “Not only are Amur leopards a beautiful and dynamic species for our guests to experience, but they also represent a real-world conservation success story in progress. With this species on the brink of extinction in the wild, accredited zoos around the world are working together to manage a breeding program that helps ensure Amur leopards will endure into the future.

“Every birth and every successful pairing contributes to a larger global effort,” Wood added. “Programs like the one at Roosevelt Park Zoo demonstrate how conservation organizations can work together to protect vulnerable species. Our ultimate hope is that these efforts may one day support reintroduction opportunities in the wild.”

Guests are encouraged to visit the Amur Leopard Forest Habitat to catch a glimpse of Zorinka as she settles into her new home and becomes acquainted with her surroundings.

According to Roosevelt Park Zoo information, Zorinka’s arrival is more than just a new exhibit animal. It is a reminder that conservation happens through collaboration, dedication and a shared commitment to protecting wildlife for future generations. Thanks to the ongoing support of the Minot community, the zoo is able to participate in global conservation initiatives that help safeguard endangered species and inspire future wildlife stewards.