Rosamund Gifford Zoo

Ain’t he a beaut. (I think he’s a he but I’m actually not sure.) He was very engaged. His home is a biggish but not huge cage with chain link walls and ceiling – sky above, a bit of a hill, tree, downed trees and branches for climbing. a tiny pool. There was one glass wall for paw-to-paw cat-to-people when he wants. He played attack cat with a guy in an owl hat with horns and eyes, running and jumping onto the fence whenever the guy turned. I think the guy was visiting the leopard like a friend and this was their game. Turns out he works for the zoo and mentioned this snow leopard was one year old  and hand-raised by people. Can’t live with his parents. The leopard chased birds who landed on the branches above. Must be now and then one gets in by mistake and I bet he makes a quick snack of them.  His tail and paws are huge.

I visited him about four times over as many hours. A frosty day just below freezing, I’m sure he loved it. I have two pics for paintings. This is one.