Zoo successfully rehabilitates snow leopard cubs that couldn't walk

OMAHA, Neb. - You can't stop these cubs now!

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is celebrating after successfully rehabilitating two snow leopard cubs that were unable to walk. 

The male and female, both born on August 4, were brought to Omaha from Illinois about two months ago to undergo physical therapy for "swimmer's syndrome." Swimmer's syndrome is a congenital condition where the cubs were unable to tuck their legs beneath their bodies to walk normally.

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According to Dr. Sarah Woodhouse, the condition occasionally happens in domestic puppies but is rare in kittens.  

Veterinarians put the cubs through physical therapy three times a day, seven days a week.

"We just continued what they started and were fortunate enough to have the staff and resources to allow us to provide more intensive therapy," said Dr. Sarah Woodhouse, our director of animal health.

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Video shows the cubs bouncing around, playing with toys, and walking after months of treatment. 

"It's so amazing what zoos can accomplish for animals when they are willing to work together."