The cubs were born at the Apple Valley zoo Tuesday. They join an estimated 90 Amur leopards living in captivity in the U.S.
Fewer than 40 Amur leopards remain in the wild. There have been no successful efforts to release captive-bred Amur leopards into their natural habitat in eastern Asia.
Still, animal collection manager Tony Fischer tells Minnesota Public Radio News the successful breeding at the Minnesota Zoo is significant. The two cubs are the first Amur leopards born at the zoo since 1995.
The cubs won't be on public display for several months, but can be viewed on the zoo's live webcam.
