Two adorable new arrivals at Twycross Zoo now have names as visitors get to see them playing in their new home.
The snow leopard twins, who are the latest arrivals at the zoo, have been named Eva and Ceba by members of the zoo. The name Eva means "life" and Ceba means "dear to hold".
They have now made their debut to their waiting public as visitors can see them playing in their habitat by the zoo’s Himalaya Centre. The sisters are now four months old and are part of international efforts to save the species.
Snow leopards are often killed by local farmers because they prey on livestock and the big cats are also hunted for their beautiful, warm fur.
Experts have estimated that there are only currently 4,000 to 6,500 snow leopards left in the wild so they need protecting.
To come up with the perfect names for the felines, the zoo’s keepers proposed a choice of female names in keeping with the leopard’s natural home range across the vast high mountains of Central Asia and the zoo’s members voted.
A spokesman for Twycross Zoo said: “As their older siblings, a boy and a girl born in 2011 and two boys born in 2013, these two female cubs are an important part in the international breeding programme that helps zoos maintain a genetically healthy managed population, which acts as a safety net for the species in the wild.
“Keepers at Twycross Zoo hope the two young girls become the next generation of breeding females in other zoos to help the conservation of this elusive species.”
Throughout the school holidays, the zoo has plenty to keep children entertained as well as keeping a peek at the new cubs. This includes the Summer Zoo Club which offers activities for children between the ages of eight and 14.
The experienced discovery and learning team welcome children into the zoo to take part in arts and crafts activities, animal health checks and animal toy building.
Children will also have the chance to learn about the importance of wildlife conservation, zoo ethics and world habitats.
The Zoo Club will take place from 9am to 4.30pm until September 1, however "wrap around care" which extends from 8.30am to 5.30pm is available for busy parents.
Twycross Zoo also offers Zooniversity for animal enthusiastic teenagers, aged between 15 and 18 year olds. It runs from Monday, August 21 to Friday, August 25 and is aimed at young adults interested in conservation, captive breeding and veterinary science.
The week-long experience will leave children with a clear understanding of the zoo's role and how it helps protect endangered animals.
For those who enjoy live music, the whole family can join the zoo on Saturday evenings until August 12 for the Summer Sundown evenings.
It will be showcasing local bands with each evening focusing on different genre from rock, pop and jazz to funk and soul. The evenings will start at 5pm and finish at 8.30pm, parking is free and there are reduced cost £5 entry tickets.
Families visiting on a hot and sunny day can take advantage of Wet 'n' Wild water play. The area allows children to splash around near the penguin pen and is open every day throughout summer. In addition, there are food outlets located nearby with places to sit down and rest.
The importance of invertebrate life in the ecosystem is often ignored. However, this summer Twycross Zoo is holding the BIAZA Big Bug Bonanza which celebrates creepy crawlies through a multitude of activities, such as bug handling, bug hunting and honey tasting.
The zoo aims to encourage positive behaviour towards invertebrates with a programme all day every day between August 7 and 11.
Twycross Zoo is open to the public from 10am to 6pm and more information is available by calling 0844 474 1777 or visiting the website here.
