KEEPERS are celebrating the birth of rare Margay kittens at the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay.

The cute cats - also known as Tree Ocelots - were born to mum Sonora and dad Maverick.

This was their third litter, having previously given birth to two single kittens.

Yet to be named, the newest additions, mark a significant milestone as they are the first Margay twins ever born in Colwyn Bay.

Now a healthy 12 weeks old, both kittens are female and in good health. The Zoo has had huge success in breeding endangered Margays, having welcomed eight kittens since 2017.

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Margays are officially classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Native to Mexico, Central America and South America, the Margay is under threat in the wild largely due to deforestation of its natural habitat. Litters are rarely more than one kitten and they only reproduce once every two years in the wild - making natura repopulation a challenge. Breeding programmes in managed Zoo settings are key to bridging the gap.

"While the arrival of one Margay kitten is cause for celebration, to welcome twins is simply wonderful,"said Chris Mitchell, CEO of the Welsh Mountain Zoo.

"Twins are rarely born to this species, in the wild or in zoo settings and their arrival took us all quite by surprise.

"The kittens are beautiful and are developing just as we would expect. They are still staying close to mum and dad but are most inquisitive and slowly beginning to explore their wider surroundings.”

The Welsh Mountain Zoo supports Margay conservation efforts via fundraising for the non-profit organisation Conservation through Research, Education, Action (CREA). Its Margay Project works to gather as much information, insight and background into the habits and behaviour of one of the world's most elusive small cats.

Semi arboreal, they live both on the ground and in the trees. At least part of their diet is made up of prey that are strictly tree dwelling, that they actively hunt among the treetops.