Dublin Zoo is seeking a name for one of its newest residents - a young female snow leopard.
The two-year-old animal arrived from a zoo in the Czech Republic earlier this year but has yet to be named.
The female has been paired with a seven year old male, named Kimo, who arrived from a zoo in Germany at the same time.
Keepers said both leopards have already “shown interest” in each other, whatever that means in terms of leopard romance.
Anyway, the Phoenix Park venue is inviting people to suggest a name for its female leopard based on her Asian origin.
To be in with the chance of winning a family pass just visit www.facebook.com/dublinzoo and leave a comment with your suggested name.
Dublin Zoo's Gerry Creighton, said "Both snow leopards have settled into their habitat at Dublin Zoo really well.
The male, Kimo, came to Dublin Zoo with his name but the female needs a name. Snow leopards are found in the mountain ranges of central Asia including the Himalayas, so Dublin Zoo is looking for a name from that region."
Snow leopards are classified as “endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of threatened species.
Their population has decreased by 20 per cent in the past 16 years and it is estimated that there are only 4,000 - 6,500 snow leopards remaining due to habitat loss and poaching.
