Jaguar Cub Rojo Is ‘Stealing The Hearts Of Staff’ At Houston Zoo Ahead Of Public Debut

The Houston Zoo’s jaguar cub Rojo is “stealing the hearts of staff” this Valentine’s Day, as he continues growing behind the scenes ahead of his public debut.

The zoo shared a video captured by staff as mom Vida offered a glimpse of her three-month-old cub. Rojo was born in November, and the pair have stayed off exhibit bonding until he’s ready to meet the public. Zookeepers say he’s nearly ready, growing stronger and more independent. Rojo weighed just 2.5 pounds when he was born, and now weighs in at around 20 pounds.

“Rojo and mom have been bonding behind the scenes where his strength and playful antics are capturing the hearts of his keepers as mom keeps a watchful eye on him at all times,” the zoo said in a statement. “Rojo enjoys climbing, investigating and watching dad, Tesoro, from a distance.”

Although zoo visitors are not yet able to see Rojo and Vida, they can still see Tesoro in the Zoos South Americas Pantanal exhibit, behind the giant river otters.

The cub’s name, which means red in Spanish, was chosen by the Ames Family after they placed the winning bid to name the cub during a live auction at Zoo Ball – Wings of Wonder presented by Phillips 66.

Rojo was born as part of the Houston Zoo’s participation in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Program for jaguars. Parents Vida and Tesoro serve as ambassadors, helping raise awareness about their threatened species, which faces poaching and deforestation in the wild.

The zoo said a portion of each ticket and membership supports Projeto Ariranhas, a training workshop that helps local Brazilian tour guides lead jaguar-safe tours so people and wildlife, including jaguars, can safely coexist.