Keepers at the Columbus Zoo say ten-year-old Irisa had bred before but never conceived . However , this spring it was found the female cat was pregnant . While the birth on Tuesday went smoothly , Irisa failed to show any maternal care so her offspring are being hand-reared in an incubator . The zoo says they will be keeping Iris with them for as long as she needs and that if she is not needed again then she can go back into the wild where she came from. but are set to grow to a heftier 650lbs .
Keepers at the Columbus Zoo say ten-year-old Irisa had bred before but never conceived . However , this spring it was found the female cat was pregnant . While the birth on Tuesday went smoothly , Irisa failed to show any maternal care so her offspring are being hand-reared in an incubator . They currently weigh 2.5lbs but are set to grow to a heftier 650lbs .