The Akron Zoo recently welcomed a new, adorable furry friend to its ranks.
Officials confirmed Wednesday that a female snow leopard cub was born at zoo on Apr. 29, and is currently being held in a private area with her mother. The little one weighed just one pound at birth and has since grown to five pounds, and zoo-goers will soon have an opportunity to name the cub as part of a contest.
Workers did, however, discover the cub was born with a congenital defect known as coloboma, which can cause abnormalities in both of her eyes. She may end up needing surgery, but the condition is common in snow leopards and shouldn't be a major issue.
"Aside from her eyes, she is thriving in every way," Dr. Brittany Rizzo, director of animal health at the Akron Zoo, said in a statement. "[Her mother] Shanti is taking great care of her little girl, which we are very happy to see."
The baby will remain in the private habitat until summer, when she will make her debut to the public.
