One of the world’s rarest big cats has been born after a remarkable “internet dating” love story.
The birth of the Amur leopard cub was described as a huge milestone for the critically endangered species.
It is the world’s rarest big cat with only 120 remaining in the wild and around 300 in captivity.
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The precious birth was captured on CCTV.
It was the result of leopard internet matchmaking.
Mother Lena was transferred to Dartmoor Zoo, Devon from Colchester Zoo, Essex last year after male Freddo was listed on a dating site for animals.
The pair immediately hit it off and became inseparable with mutual grooming and mating, as reported by What’s The Jam.
Dartmoor Zoo Chief Executive David Gibson said: “The birth of our first Amur leopard cub is the culmination of several years of planning and hard work.
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“It’s incredibly rewarding to know that we are making a significant contribution to the survival of the most endangered big cat in the world.
“With fewer than 400 individuals left around the world, between the wild and zoo populations, the arrival of this cub is globally important.
“It will be some time yet before the cub is visible to our visitors, but they can rest assured that both mum and cub are getting the very best of care and attention in the meantime.”
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The cub has started to explore its surroundings.
Keepers said in the wild females normally give birth to litters of up to three cubs at a time and they are kept hidden for the first eight weeks of their lives to help protect them from predators.
Freddo and Lena were separated a few days before the anticipated arrival of the cub.
Animal manager Madeleine Millin, who has been monitoring progress via CCTV, said Lena was doing a “fantastic job of caring for her little one.”
She added: “The cub is moving around well, playing with mum and exploring the surroundings of the den.
“The entire keeper team are excited and I’m very proud and can’t wait to watch the cub develop and thrive.”
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