Singapore Zoo has officially introduced its first ever litter of Sri Lankan leopard cubs to the public, giving visitors a rare chance to watch one of the world’s most elusive big cats in its playful baby era.
A rare first for Singapore Zoo
Born on 1 January 2026 to mother Yala and father Asanka, the litter includes two male cubs and one female cub. This marks the first birth of Sri Lankan leopards at Singapore Zoo, with the last successful birth within Mandai’s parks recorded at Night Safari three decades ago.
When you can see them
| Period | Viewing availability |
|---|---|
| Now till mid May 2026 | Daily |
| After mid May 2026 | Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday |
Visitors can spot the cubs at the Wild Africa zone during these timings.
What to expect when you visit
At just over three months old, the cubs are already growing in confidence, developing their own personalities and showing off the natural behaviours that make leopard cubs so fascinating to watch.
Visitors can expect to see them:
- Exploring their surroundings curiously
- Playfighting with their siblings
- Curling up together with their mother
These behaviours are more than just cute moments. They help the cubs build essential social and survival skills as they grow.
A specially designed space for baby leopards
The exhibit has been adjusted to support their early development.
Low inclined logs allow the cubs to climb safely while extra woodchips cushion their energetic play sessions. The zoo has also added enrichment features like meat suspended from trees to encourage natural hunting instincts such as scent recognition and chewing.
The cubs have also begun transitioning to a partial meat diet and are expected to be fully weaned at around five months old.
Why these cubs matter beyond the cuteness
Sri Lankan leopards are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 800 estimated to remain in the wild. They face threats from habitat loss, declining prey and illegal wildlife trade.
This litter is part of an international breeding effort under the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums programme, which aims to maintain a healthy and genetically diverse population of threatened species.
Fun facts about Sri Lankan leopards
Each leopard has a unique spot pattern. For these cubs, keepers can already tell them apart by the markings on their foreheads, almost like fingerprints.
Playfighting is not just for fun. It is a critical part of their development, helping them build coordination and survival instincts.
At over three months old, each cub weighs around 5kg and has already passed its first health check with a clean bill of health.
They grow up quickly and are expected to reach maturity in about two to three years.
Singapore Zoo ticket prices
| Category | Admission price |
|---|---|
| Adult | From S$39.20 |
| Child | From S$27.20 |
| Birthday perk for WildPass holders | One complimentary admission with one full paying adult |
These rates are for Singapore Zoo, the park where the cubs are located, and not for the other Mandai parks.
A limited window to catch them at their cutest
These cubs will not stay this small for long. As their viewing schedule shifts to selected days after mid May, this current period is the best time to see them exploring, playing and interacting up close.
For a weekend plan that is equal parts wholesome and genuinely rare, this is one of the most worth it visits in Singapore right now.
