BROOKFIELD, Ill. (WGN) — Two new arrivals at Brookfield Zoo are thriving and giving hope for one of the world’s most endangered animals.

The zoo announced that two Amur leopard cubs, born in July to mom Mina, had their first wellness exam this week. Each weighed in at around six pounds and received vaccinations to protect them from viruses and parasites.

Amur leopards are considered the rarest big cat in the world, with fewer than 100 left in the wild.

Native to the forests of eastern Russia, the critically endangered cats are well-suited for Chicago’s chilly climate.

Zoo officials say the cubs will remain behind the scenes for now but are expected to make their public debut in the coming months.

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