‘A great joy’: Cuba’s National Zoo sees surge in pandemic baby animals

Newborns include leopards, bengal tigers, zebras, giraffes, antelopes and oxen, more than 10 births of high-value species'

Zookeepers at Cuba's National Zoo say several species of exotic and endangered animals took advantage of the peace and quiet brought on by the coronavirus pandemic for romantic encounters that resulted in a bumper crop of baby animals.

The newborns include leopards, bengal tigers, zebras, giraffes, antelopes and oxen, a rarity officials attribute to the many months the zoo was closed during the pandemic, said zoo veterinarian Rachel Ortiz.