THESE adorable twin leopards might have a surrogate mother at the conservation centre where they were born – but that hasn’t stopped them seeking out a more unusual carer.The cheeky pair – Solka and his sister Chant – have teamed up with friendly orangutan, Rishi, seeking comfort in the one-year-old’s long fur.
The African leopards are being hand-reared by carers at The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Rajani Ferrante, who gives the cubs round-the-clock care said: “Solka and Chant came away from their mother, Kirean, 10, around ten days ago.
“The babies are fed every four hours with a special formula made from vitamins, fresh yogurt and goats milk.”
She added: “In the wild the mothers are usually very attentive for around one month, after which they leave the babies to fend for themselves.”
The cute leopard twins now weigh around two pounds and stand at six inches tall and measure 12 inches from tail to nose.
When they are fully grown they will reach 80cm high and weigh about 180 pounds although females are lighter at 120 pounds.
Rajani, 35, who has worked for the Institute for 12 years, said: “These guys will never be going into the wild and so to form a relationship with them they need to be hand raised by us.
“It will be several months before they can be re-united with their 10-year-old mother and 15-year-old father, Chance.”
But in the meantime they are content spending time with orangutan, Rishi, who will be their playmate for the next six to eight months.
Rajani said: “Leopards are the most intelligent of the big cat family and Rishi is having a good time teaching them a few things.”
http://www.thelondonpaper.com/thelondonpaper/weird/baby-twin-leopards-have-soft-spot-for-orangutan
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