Red-coated jaguarundi twins on display for the first time at Prague Zoo

The kittens born in the first week of July are only the seventh and eighth jaguarundis born in the history of Prague Zoo. Their sex is not yet known. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

“The kittens were born on July 7 to the female Blanche and the male Chaco. They are thriving and have recently started to accept solid food, so there is nothing to prevent visitors from seeing them,” says Pavel Brandl, curator of mammal breeding. “Jaguarundi have exceptional vocal expressions, especially their typical whistling, which resembles a bird.”

This year’s offspring are only the second litter of Blanche and Chaco. Jaguarundi are more sociable than other species of felines, and the male can safely stay with his mate even during rearing. Visitors to the Prague Zoo can see them sleeping all huddled together or playing in the enclosure in the South American Predators exhibit. Jaguarundi are not commonly bred in European zoos. Last year’s litter of this same couple was the only one in Europe.

The jaguarundi – usually a successful hunter – goes out for food day and night. Its closest relative is the puma, while its name evokes another majestic beast. The jaguarundi, however, is a small cat-like predator that is not dangerous to humans. With its elongated body and flat head, the jaguarundi is perfectly adapted to moving in dense undergrowth. Although not yet an endangered species, its numbers are declining according to the IUCN Red List and it is losing its natural habitat in some regions.

The Prague Zoo has been breeding jaguarundis since 1993. The original couple only managed to raise one cub, in 2000, which was considered a great breeding success. Additional offspring were born in Prague Zoo in 2009 and 2013. After a long pause, the current couple, the male Chaco and the female Blanche, welcomed their first offspring last year.

Visitors to the Prague Zoo will find the jaguarundi family in the upper part of the complex, in the South American Predators exhibit above the enclosure of North American river otters. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo