ANI-1036: Chisanu

Chisanu is a wild-born albino African Leopard (Panthera pardus pardus), and currently the lone resident of his habitat at Changing Seasons. Which works just fine for him, since leopards are generally solitary.

With his pale coloration, Chisanu was easily spotted among the African wilderness, and unfortunately was seemingly abandoned by his mother not long after birth. Luckily, he was found by locals and eventually transported to a wildlife rescue where he was initially raised. As he grew, however, it became apparent that while he was not fully blind, he was near-sighted. Whether this was caused by his albinism or not has never been determined.

With the rescue ill-equipped to permanently house a growing leopard, especially one that would never be suitable for release, Chisanu traded hands several times, bouncing between various organizations, before he was eventually adopted by Changing Seasons Wildlife Reserve. Here, he's been given a large exhibit to inhabit, featuring open savannah, plenty of trees, and even a rock cave. He's since settled in nicely.

Fun Fact! Chisanu is the Chichewa (an African language) word for 'snow'!