Thailand hails breakthrough in breeding clouded leopards

BANGKOK, July 5 (TNA) - Thailand’s top animal attraction Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Eastern Chonburi Province announces the country’s first successful experiment with artificial insemination performed on clouded leopards, leading to the birth of two cubs, one male and one female, in the zoo. A team of Thai and American scientists have raised hopes for future breeding of the endangered species. In a breakthrough tiger-conservation program at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, home to more than 8,000 animals, Director of the Zoological Park Organization Thailand Benjaporn Nagaprasert said this achievement had been unprecedented, never before had artificially-bred clouded leopards been born in Thailand. Benjapon noted this was the third attempt by the scientists to save the big cats from extinction and increase their population through scientific breeding. (TNA)