Child finds and brings home two leopard cubs

A child in Hekou County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, recently found and brought home two kittens while he was playing in the mountain.

Suspecting they might belong to some rare species, the child's parents called the local police. They took the two cubs back to the public security bureau and contacted animal experts to confirm their identity.

"We sent the photos and videos of the two little animals to a provincial animal expert and confirmed that they are leopard cubs, which are wildlife of important ecological, scientific and social value under state protection. They were born only several days ago and are in good physical condition," said Li Chengyun, head of Hekou County Natural Resources Public Security Bureau.

The leopard isa level-III protected species in China. They are native to South, Southeast and East Asia. Despite they are widely distributed, they are facing problems like habitat loss like many other animals.

Under the good care of police officers, the two cubs are now able to walk. However, considering that they do not have the ability to survive in the wild yet, the police will contact the wildlife rescue agencies to take care of the kittens.

(CGTN)