Snow leopard ready for debut at Brookfield Zoo

BROOKFIELD — A snow leopard cub born at the Brookfield Zoo is set to make his public debut.

The zoo says the 3-month-old cub can be seen by the public for the first time on Wednesday.

The cub will be on display with his mother, Sarani.

The zoo says the cub now weights nearly 15 pounds. In the wild, cubs remain with their mothers for 18 to 22 months.

Snow leopards are considered an endangered species.

Sarani and her mate, Sabu, came to the Chicago-area zoo in October 2011 from zoos in Idaho and New Jersey.