STONEHAM, Mass. -- They may be small, but they have a big job ahead of them -- helping to ensure the survival of jaguars both in the wild and captivity.

On July 18, Stone Zoo welcomed two jaguar cubs into the world. Offspring of female Kanga and male Pascal, the male and female cub represent new bloodlines for the jaguar Species Survival Plan, and will help to maintain the genetic diversity of the captive population.

"We were very excited when we brought Kanga and Pascal in from Guatemala since they were genetically unrepresented animals in North America. The accomplishment would not have been as significant, though, if they hadn't reproduced," said Fred Beall, Zoo New England's General Curator. "These two cubs are a mark of success and will mean a great deal to the jaguar Species Survival Plan."

Kanga, a three and a half year old female, and Pascal, a 5-year-old male, came to the United States from Zoologico La Jungla, Parque Recreativo Urban (Irtra) Petapa, Ciudad de Guatemala in Guatemala as part of a cooperative multi-zoo partnership between Zoo New England, Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma, and Akron Zoo in Ohio. Tulsa Zoo and Akron Zoo each received a male jaguar as well. Kanga and Pascal are the first of the four jaguars to reproduce.

In addition to participating in the jaguar Species Survival Plan, Zoo New England is also participating in in-situ, or field, conservation in Guatemala with several other institutions. The Sierra Del Lacandon National Park is one of only two likely strongholds for jaguar in Guatemala. The goals of this study are to document the presence of jaguar and assess their population status in two different areas within the Park. The study will also assess the relative abundance of prey between the two habitats, and establish a vital research presence in this important protected region.

The two cubs will remain with their mother for about two years and then likely be moved to other institutions participating in the jaguar Species Survival Plan for breeding. For now, guests can see the cubs in Stone Zoo's Treasures of the Sierra Madre exhibit. The jaguar exhibit is sponsored by StonehamBank.