There’s something undeniably touching about watching a parent discover the gender of their baby—and as it turns out, the joy and wonder of that moment aren’t exclusive to humans. At the Great Plains Zoo, a beautiful snow leopard named Strut recently experienced this life-changing surprise in a way that had staff and viewers completely smitten. His priceless reaction to finding out he’s the proud father of a baby girl is melting hearts across the internet.
A Mysterious Box in Strut’s Enclosure

When Strut spotted a large, mysterious box placed in his habitat, he wasn’t quite sure what to think. The box was part of a special enrichment activity prepared by the zoo—a gender reveal surprise designed just for him. Curious but cautious, Strut approached slowly, unsure of what this strange object might be hiding. The video of the moment was uploaded to the zoo’s official Instagram account.
From Confusion to Curiosity
After giving it a good long stare, Strut decided it was time to investigate. With deliberate care, he dipped his head inside the box. His reaction was immediate and unforgettable. He paused, pulled back suddenly, and gave a priceless double-take, as if thinking, Wait… what did I just see? With eyes full of wonder, he glanced around as if searching for confirmation.
It’s a Girl!

With growing excitement, Strut dove back into the box and emerged with a mouthful of pink ribbons—clear evidence that he had officially become a girl dad! His gentle nature and expressive response made the moment even more endearing. Watching such a majestic creature react with childlike surprise was truly heartwarming.
A Glimpse of the Little Princess
As the video continues, viewers are treated to a brief look at Strut’s newborn daughter. At just seven weeks old, she’s already strong, healthy, and stunning—clearly taking after both her regal parents. For now, she’s staying close to her mother behind the scenes, but the zoo has announced plans for her to make her public debut soon.
A Star in the Making

With Strut’s handsome looks and her mom’s grace, this little cub is sure to steal hearts the moment she steps into the spotlight. Until then, we’ll be keeping an eye out—because if her dad’s reaction was any clue, she’s already the star of the Great Plains Zoo family.

Sameen is a digital marketing and content specialist well versed in curating content aligned to audience needs. She has a passion for animals and creating animal content across social media.