A female snow leopard is pregnant at the Toronto Zoo.

TORONTO — The Toronto Zoo says Jita, a “friendly and determined” two-year-old female snow leopard, is pregnant.

Jita was brought to the Toronto Zoo last January after she was identified as a suitable partner for Pemba, a nine-year-old boy described by zoo staff as “playful and sensitive.”

Zoo officials say it was “love at first sight” (or pheromone) between the two snow leopards.

Zoo officials note that Jita’s birth will likely take place between May 6 and May 27, but the expected number of cubs has not been specified.

However, in a press release, the Toronto Zoo warns that reporting the pregnancy comes with some caution. Pemba had already given birth to a baby, but none of the cubs survived due to medical complications.

Additionally, the first pregnancy can be difficult for inexperienced snow leopard mothers like Jita.

“With this knowledge, the care team is busy preparing to ensure the best outcome no matter the situation,” it said. Continuous ultrasounds will monitor her progress and hopefully the pregnancy will go smoothly.

The Toronto Zoo is part of a cooperative snow leopard breeding program among accredited zoos in North America.

The snow leopard is listed as a “vulnerable species” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They live in the rugged mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, stretching from Russia to the Himalayas.