Leopards outwit vets to make babies

TWO LEOPARD cubs born at Limassol Zoo early on Wednesday have stunned staff who had been feeding their mother contraceptives for years.

Lambros Lambrou, the zoo’s official vet, said yesterday there had been no decision to mate the two adult leopards.

In fact, “we had been giving her contraceptives for years and we did not expect a delivery,” Lambrou said.

“When staff went to the cage on Wednesday morning, they were completely surprised to find four leopards instead of two.”

The cubs’ mother is five years old and was brought to Limassol from Israel around four years ago. She had been taking contraceptives twice a week in her food.

“Obviously it didn’t work,” Lambrou said.

The male leopard, called Leo, is nine years old and came from an Italian circus which visited Limassol five years ago.

Lambrou said the two cubs were in perfect health.

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