Animal keepers are desperately reviewing camera footage after the death of a snow leopard cub, less than five weeks after she was born.

‘Little Lady’, as she was known, was born at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, near Ashford but staff are trying to find out how and why she died.

The youngster was the fourth litter from mother Laila and her breeding partner Yarko on May 10.

She weighed just 630g at her first health check when she was five days old but the park said they understood she was thriving in her early days and weeks.

However, keepers are now investigating after it was announced she died on Wednesday evening.

A statement released by the sanctuary said: “It is with deep sadness that The Big Cat Sanctuary can confirm the passing of Laila’s snow leopard cub, affectionately nicknamed ‘Little Lady’.

"Our dedicated animal care team, who had been closely monitoring Laila and her cub since birth, are heartbroken by this loss.

"The cub sadly passed away late on [Wednesday] June 4, and we are currently reviewing CCTV footage of the night with our expert team and vets to try and understand what may have occurred.

"In the wild and captivity, cub survival rates can vary dramatically with some studies showing rates as low as 30%, and others reaching 80%, highlighting the challenges young cubs face.

"While this loss is a difficult part of the reality of conservation work, it strengthens our resolve to keep improving care, protocols, and collaboration across the sector.

The site's managing director, Cam Whitnall, added: "We are all devastated by this news.

"Laila is receiving the best possible care, and our focus is now on her well-being.

"While deeply saddened by this loss, our commitment to snow leopard conservation and the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme remains as strong as ever.

"Every life is precious, and this loss, though profoundly felt, reinforces the vital importance of our work to protect these magnificent and vulnerable big cats."

Little Lady’s birth came following months of work by primary trainer Simon Jackaman, who built the trust necessary for Laila to voluntarily participate in ultrasound sessions conducted by the sanctuary’s veterinarian, Valerie Freeman.

Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, with an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the wild.

They are predicted to lose 30% of their habitat because of climate change in the next 50 to 100 years, and they also face threats from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.