In pictures: Rare snow leopards born at Twycross Zoo

Snow leopard cubs with their mother

Twycross Zoo, in Leicestershire, has announced the births of two snow leopards. The animals, which are endangered in the wild, were born in May but went on public display for the first time on Wednesday.

The births were filmed by Twycross Zoo. Dr Charlotte McDonald, living collections curator, said: "Very few people will ever have the opportunity to see snow leopards being born so the footage that we have been able to capture is unique."

The snow leopard cubs are now on view in an enclosure at the zoo’s Himalaya centre. The area was built in 2010 and simulates the cats' natural rocky habitat in central Asia's mountain ranges.

The Himalaya enclosure was purpose-built for the arrival of snow leopards Suou and Irma in 2010. It was part of the international breeding programme to keep the species genetically viable. The male cat Suou arrived from a zoo in Japan.

Suou and Irma's first cub, Malaku, left Twycross Zoo in October. Sharon Redrobe, zoological director, said it was vital zoos maintained a genetically healthy population. She said: "[The new cubs] will go on to play an important role in the breeding programme in the coming years."

Irma was two months pregnant in this picture. In the wild females give birth to two or three cubs in June or July. She will raise her young alone and they will not become independent for nearly two years.

The cubs, which have not yet been named, were born on the morning of 1 May, and were kept in a private area with their mother until Wednesday. They can now be seen by the public from the free-to-enter Himalaya centre.