ALBUQUERQUE – Albuquerque’s zoo is celebrating the births of two ocelots.
Officials at the ABQ BioPark announced Tuesday that the kittens were born in October.
Mammal Curator Erin Flynn said the births mark an important milestone for the zoo. She said it’s a big deal for a first-time mom to have two kittens and be taking such good care of them.
Officials said ocelots are notoriously difficult to get pregnant.
In 2017, staff artificially inseminated the mother, named Lucy, under the direction of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s species survival plan. Although Lucy didn’t become pregnant at that time, the process made her more receptive to breeding.
Officials said Lucy had not shown any signs of being pregnant, such as weight gain or behavioral changes, so the babies were a surprise.
