Two snow leopard cubs at Highland Wildlife Park have taken their first tentative steps into the outside world, delighting keepers and offering visitors the chance to catch a glimpse of one of the park’s most exciting arrivals.

The twin cubs, born earlier this year to first time mother Pari, are now several weeks old and beginning to explore beyond the safety of their den.

Under their mother’s watchful eye, the curious youngsters are venturing further into their surroundings as they continue to grow, play and develop.

Visitors to the wildlife park near Kingussie may be fortunate enough to spot the cubs as they discover their habitat, although keepers expect the pair to spend plenty of time close to their mother in the weeks ahead.

The cubs will receive their names following their first health check, which is expected to take place in the coming months.

Like all snow leopard cubs, the twins were born blind and with pale blue eyes because of a lack of melanin at birth.

As they reach two to three months old, pigment production increases, gradually changing their eye colour to shades of pale green, grey or yellow.

Pari, who is approaching her third birthday, is raising the cubs alone, reflecting the natural behaviour of snow leopards in the wild.

Their father, seven year old Koshi, is being kept separately until the cubs are older and ready to meet him.

Snow leopards are solitary animals native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, where they face growing threats from habitat loss, poaching, declining prey numbers and climate change.

They are currently listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Highland Wildlife Park, operated by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, plays an important role in international conservation efforts aimed at protecting endangered species and raising awareness about the challenges they face in the wild.

The park was recognised as Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction at the 2025 Scottish Thistle Awards and remains one of the Highlands’ most popular destinations for families and wildlife enthusiasts.

For now, however, the spotlight belongs firmly to two fluffy new arrivals whose first adventures outdoors are already capturing hearts.

Visitors can book park tickets online in advance and save at highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/tickets