There is good news coming from the world of endangered species. Last spring, two rare Southeast Asian clouded leopards were born at the Jardin des Plantes park in Paris, France.

It’s July and the zoo is happy to introduce Pati and Jaya.

The cubs were born on May 14th, but official birth announcements were not made until the zoo was sure the mother and babies were in good health.

I love this cute photo of the cubs.  The one on the bottom looks pretty tired from all the attention.  Photo from AP News/NPR.

Clouded leopards are found in parts of China and South East Asia. It is hard to estimate how many there are in the wild because they are reclusive animals.

They are threaten by poachers that are after the leopard’s skin and fur. They are also hunted for medicinal uses too. These are some of the things I can’t believe people are still doing to animals.

On the bright side, clouded leopards have been born successfully in the U.S. too. Last summer, two other Clouded leopard cubs were also born into The Smithsonian National Zoo. The zoo is trying to preserve the species, but has not been successful mating the animals. It’s been nearly two decades since a birth at the zoo.

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I’ve seen buildings covered in ivy’s before, but never have I seen anything like what Patrick Blanc did with these buildings. Patrick Blanc is a French artist that does vertical garden art.

The neat thing is that the plants don’t need soil to grow. Just give it sunlight, minerals and water. Patrick has also devised an automated system to water the plants from top to bottom. He said it’s very much like how it’s done in nature. Just like when the water runs down the rocks and cliffs. Maintenance is also very easy, you just have to check on it a couple of times a year.

The natural benefits of the Vertical Garden include improved air quality, lower energy consumption, providing a natural shield between weather and inhabitants.

Patrick Blanc considers himself more than just an artist. Blanc is also a botanist and the Vertical Garden is derived from the many observations he’s made in natural places. Mostly in tropical areas for more than 30 years now.

His artwork is considered to be a living painting. In French, he refers to it as “le mur vegetal” meaning vegetal wall. His latest spring 2009 project is in Paris at the Rue d’Alsace.

Image source:
PingMag - You can also read the whole interview with Patrick Blanc here.