Infection nearly killed the Potter Park Zoo infant

Tom Lambert
Lansing State Journal
Published June 9, 2007

If cats have nine lives, Lansing’s Potter Park Zoo caretakers know their newborn snow leopard is already on his third.

The snow leopard, who has yet to be named, almost died twice since his birth five weeks ago Friday.

First, his mother rejected him, leaving zoo caretakers to feed him five times a day with the help of a baby bottle.

Then Memorial Day weekend the four-pound snow leopard suffered from an infection, and zoo officials said he was close to death.

“It’s taken a lot of intensive care, but he’s coming around,” said Tara Harrison, a veterinarian at Potter Park Zoo. “He’s well on his way to recovery. He’s an endangered species, so it’s important he survives.”

People can view the snow leopard at the veterinary clinic in the nursery window.

Contact Tom Lambert at 377-1063 or tlambert@lsj.com.

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