Jaguar cubs born at Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park

PHOENIX — Three endangered baby jaguars are prowling into the Valley.

One melanistic and two spotted jaguar cubs were recently born at Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park, the zoo announced Thursday.

The cubs, currently being raised on formula in the baby animal nursery, will transition to a diet with meat over the next few weeks.

Jaguars are endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. The third-largest feline behind tigers and lions, jaguars were once found in southwestern United States areas including Arizona, but now largely reside in Central and South America, according to the zoo.

These three jaguars are the newest addition to a zoo that has more than 6,000 animals and 600 species on display. This is the second announcement of new animals in the last two weeks — on April 29, the zoo announced the arrival of a baby African leopard, baby warthogs and black-backed jackal pups.

The 100-acre zone in Litchfield Park west of Phoenix is home to animals including a baby tapir, giraffe, sable antelope, addax and Arabian oryx.

Wildlife World Zoo at 16501 W. Northern Avenue is open seven days a week, including all holidays. The exhibits are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last zoo admission for the day occurring at 4:30 p.m.

Admission includes access to the zoo, aquarium and safari park.

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