Snuggly Cat’s Children Move Out The reality is that about half of newborns never make it to one year of age.

A snub-nosed cat born in Kobe Animal Kingdom (hereafter, Kobe) moved to Nasu Animal Kingdom (hereafter, Nasu). The reason for the move was to avoid breeding between siblings as they approach sexual maturity.

On February 2 of this year, there were a total of three cats in Nasu: two males, “Shojah” and “Aldo,” and one female, “Najum. In Kobe, four were born on February 19: two males, “Shisui” and “Yashu,” and two females, “Roka” and “Jiu.

At first glance, it may appear that the babies grew up well. However, there was a story of life that the breeding staff watched over and connected, supported by the vitality of the babies and the mothers’ motherly love.

The original plan for the move was to separate the baby girls in Nasu and the baby boys in Kobe. So Shojah and Aldo from Nasu moved to Kobe and joined Shisui and Yash. The plan was for Roka and Jiu in Kobe to join Najum waiting in Nasu. Just then, however, something unexpected happened.

On the morning of September 24, Najum passed away.

Najum was a very mature and noble boy. It was the first time for us to lose a cub we had raised, and we were devastated, but we will continue to do everything we can to protect the Sunaneko’s health.

We are sure that everyone who loved Sunaneko is in deep sorrow right now. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for loving Najumu,” said Nagisa Hashimoto, a member of the breeding staff, in remembrance of Najumu and in appreciation of his fans.

The sand cat is a wild animal that lives in desert areas. They are rare animals whose ecosystems are preserved and their species are conserved in nature reserves, national parks, and zoos.

In international captive breeding, about half of all newborns die, with a 30% mortality rate by the 30th day of life and another 13% by the first year of life. The mortality rate is also reported to be highest within the first 48 hours of life.