An endangered leopard at Granby Zoo has two adorable cubs by caesarian

Two healthyAmur leopard cubs, a critically endangered species, have been born by Caesariansection at a zoo east of Montreal.

In what's being called a North American first, staff at the GranbyZoo used theprocedure togive the leopards a better chance ofsurviving.

The cubs were born last Sunday to Megan, an 11-year old female who has had trouble giving birth in the past. In her last three pregnancies, her cubs were stillborn, the zoo's veterinarian Marion Desmarcheliers said. The C-section was necessary to make sure the latest cubswould survive.

"In less than fiveminutes of surgery the first baby was born.Yes, it was a very efficient birth," Desmarchelierssaid.

The main challenge for theveterinarians wasreanimating the newborn cubs who, like their mother, were undergeneral anaesthesia.

"Normally whenyou do a Caesarian on a woman, you just applya local anesthetic. But with aleopard, you need a general anesthetic to ensure the safety of everyone involved," she said. "And this anesthetic also affects the baby."

There are an estimated 70 Amur leopards left in their home territory, the AmurRiver region thatseparates eastern Russiafrom China. About 200 of themlive in zoos around the world.

"We're very proud to helpreproduce this species and help them survive," said Carl Fournier, head of animal care at the zoo.

It's unclear whether the cubs will stay in the GranbyZoo or be transferred elsewhere.