Two snow leopard cubs have made their way back to Miller Park Zoo, after traveling to Nebraska for vet care.
The cubs, who were born in August, were showing signs of “swimmer's syndrome.” Miller Park Zoo Executive Director Jay Tetzloff said it’s a congenital condition where the leopards' hind legs are splayed out behind them instead of underneath. That makes it difficult to put weight on their legs and walk. He said it’s more common in domestic dogs and occasionally domestic cats.
Tetzloff said the cause of the condition is unknown. It could be genetic, environmental, or a combination of the two. He said puppies are generally able to grow out of it with physical therapy.
But it was uncharted territory for Miller Park Zoo. Tetzloff also coordinates the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan (SSP), a conservation program that places snow leopards recommended for breeding at zoos around North America.
Tetzloff said this is only the fourth litter of snow leopards known to have the condition.
“We started physical therapy pretty much immediately," he said. "Three times a day, we’d separate the cubs from mom and would, in essence, make the cubs walk with us holding their legs underneath. As the cubs got older, we brought in what are called ‘hobbles,’ where you basically tape the legs—kind of like if you were walking with your pants around your ankles. You aren’t able to stretch your hips out, so it keeps your feet underneath you.”
But Tetzloff said it came to a point when the cubs’ physical therapy needed to be evaluated—and potentially changed—every day. The Miller Park Zoo only has veterinary staff one day per week. He said providing that care on site would’ve been extremely difficult from a financial perspective.
They started reaching out to other zoos to see who could help. Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska stepped up.
“We work with other zoos on a daily basis, but this was to that next level,” Tetzloff said. “We don’t usually send animals anywhere for veterinary care. We’re pretty much doing it ourselves, or with University of Illinois’ vet school. This was really rare. I couldn’t find a record of anywhere we’d done it before.”
The leopard cubs are now back in Bloomington after about two months. Tetzloff said zoo staff will continue to monitor them for improvement. He said the male cub’s condition is nearly undetectable, while the female is still showing some signs of “swimmer’s syndrome.”
“What we’re going to focus on now is play and getting those muscles built up stronger,” he said.
The cubs are not available for observation. The exhibit they’re housed in is closed due to COVID-19 precautions. Miller Park Zoo is open in a limited capacity.
Tetzloff said next summer, the Snow Leopard SSP will look for new homes for the cubs.
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