GRAND RAPIDS, MI - John Ball Zoo’s newest family member finally has a name.

The zoo at 1300 Fulton St. W in Grand Rapids announced on Thursday, Aug. 28, that its month-old snow leopard cub has been named Juniper, after the trees of the Himalayas.

“This paws-itively adorable cub has been spending most of her time getting to know her surroundings and snuggling close to mom,” John Ball Zoo staff stated.

This is the second female cub for mother Yuki, 3, and her mate Mylo, 7. Their first cub, Mera, died in late March due to an illness.

Yuki came to Grand Rapids from Toledo in 2023, and Mylo joined in 2021 from Toronto. The pair makes a good genetic match for breeding, according to the Species Survival Plan Program through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, John Ball Zoo’s accrediting or

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