It’s hard to believe that nearly a year and a half has passed since jaguar cubs K’arka and Yana were born. Once tiny and dependent, they’ve now grown into confident “teenage” jaguars, full of curiosity and strength. As they reach maturity, the time has come for them to take the next big step in their lives — moving away from home to begin their own journeys.
K’arka, the male, is the first to set out. His transfer is scheduled for week 45, when he’ll be heading to Le Parc des Félins in France. There, a new chapter awaits him alongside Leila, a female jaguar born in 2017. The hope is that K’arka and Leila will form a strong bond and, in time, contribute to the important work of species conservation through breeding. His move is part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), which helps ensure healthy and genetically diverse jaguar populations in human care.
Yana, his sister, won’t be far behind. She’ll be moving to Zoo Opole in Poland, where a young male named Yuma — close in age — is ready to meet her. Like her brother, Yana’s new partnership could play a key role in the future of her species.
While it’s always emotional to say goodbye, these moves mark an important milestone. Watching K’arka and Yana grow into independent, mature jaguars has been a joy — and knowing they’re taking their next steps as part of a larger conservation effort makes it even more meaningful. We’re proud of them and excited to see what the future holds for both.
