'Incredibly rare' birth of super cute tree kittens with two weird abilities

The young twins are slowly becoming more inquisitive
-Credit: (Image: Margay Keeper Meg/WMZ)


The “incredibly rare” birth of Margay kitten twins in North Wales has been hailed as a milestone in the conservation of the threatened wild cats. Keepers said they were “surprised” but delighted by the unexpected arrivals at Welsh Mountain Zoo.

They are the first Margay twins to be born at the Colwyn Bay zoo in Conwy. Now 12 weeks-old, the twins were both sexed as female after vets confirmed the pair were both in good health.

The Margay is a small wild cat native to Central and South America. Years of persecution and forestry clearances have left it “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List.

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A skilled climber, it spends most of the time in trees, capable of jumping up to 12ft between branches while chasing birds and monkeys. Able to turn its ankles up to 180 degrees, to grasp branches, it’s the only predator that can mimic the sounds of pied tamarin monkeys.

As Margays rarely produce litters of more than one, and only reproduce once every two years in the wild, populations are on a constant knife-edge. For this reason, Chris Mitchell, CEO of the Welsh Mountain Zoo, said it was essential that zoo breeding programmes exist.

The one in Colwyn Bay has been particularly successful, having now welcomed eight kittens since 2017. Until now, all its litters have been single kittens.

The super cute twins were born to mum, Sonora, and dad, Maverick, who have previously produced two single kittens. Their arrival follows hot on the heels of another wild cat breeding success at the zoo – a snow leopard cub dubbed “Grumpy Cat” by visitors. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone

Both the kittens are female and are yet to be named
Both the kittens are female and are yet to be named -Credit:Lewis Gale

Mr Mitchell said: “Whilst the arrival of one Margay kitten is cause for celebration, to welcome twins is simply wonderful. Twins are rarely born to this species, in the wild or in managed zoo settings, and their arrival took us all quite by surprise.

“The kittens are beautiful and are developing just as we would expect in terms growth and development. They are still staying close to mum and dad but are more inquisitive and slowly beginning to explore their wider surroundings.”

The Welsh Mountain Zoo supports Margay conservation efforts by fundraising for the non-profit organisation CREA (Conservation through Research, Education, Action). The Margay Project works to gather as much information about the habits and behaviour of one of the world’s most elusive small cats. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

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