Jaipur’s Jhalana Leopard Reserve has recorded a remarkable wildlife milestone as its most celebrated big cat, Flora, has given birth for the ninth time. The 11-year-old leopard—fondly known as the “Mother of Jhalana”—has now produced 21 cubs across nine litters.
Despite her exceptional fertility, survival rates have remained grim. Only six of her cubs have lived to adulthood. Five died during territorial clashes as they matured, while ten young cubs—aged between two and ten months—were killed by other leopards within the reserve.
Flora’s first litter had produced the famous trio Prince, Katrina and Jalebi, though Katrina is no longer alive. The leopard was recently sighted on a hillside along with her new litter of three cubs, estimated to be about two months old.
Forest officials have intensified monitoring to ensure the safety of the mother and the newborns, given the reserve’s history of territorial aggression among leopards.
