A ten-day-old clouded leopard kitten at a Tampa zoo just melted everyone 's hearts by relaxing and just being cute as he was washed under a water faucet . The endangered kitten , who has not yet been named and is being cared for at the Lowry Park Zoo , has just began to open his eyes and has n't even taken his first step . And when zoo staff members wash him in the sink and feed him with a bottle , he 's as cute as ever . The ten-day-old clouded leopard kitten , who has yet to be named , is being fed and watched over by staff at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa , Florida . Staff members said he has barely opened his eyes , has yet to walk and will be watched 'round-the-clock ' for the next few months . The kitten is given 'round-the-clock ' care where he 'll be fed and watched after for about three months by staff , according toFOX Tampa Bay . He is expected to start walking in about two weeks , and zoo staff will determine his future home in the next few weeks . Four-year-old clouded leopards Yim and Malee were paired as potential mates in 2011 , when they arrived at the zoo , by the Clouded Leopard Species Survival Plan , which supports the conservation of the endangered animal . They then conceived their first born - the kitten who was born this month . Vice President of animal science and conservation at the zoo Dr Larry Killmar said the birth 'signifies a milestone accomplishment ' for the conservation programs . 'Species survival programs for animals like the clouded leopards take years of planning , development and staff commitment . The kitten will contribute to the long-term viability of our conservation efforts within the managed population , ' Killmar told FOX . The kitten is expected to start walking in a couple weeks . He is the baby of two four-year-old clouded leopards at the zoo who were matched as potential mates in 2011 by a conservation group . The clouded leopard is an endangered species and it is common practice in zoos to hand-raise all new born kittens . Clouded leopards are the smallest of the 'big cats ' , weighing between 30 and 50lb when fully grown . The cat - the most talented climbers among the cats - is classified as 'vulnerable ' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( ICUN ) and its total population is no more than 10,000 . This is down to factors such as deforestation , illegal trading and poaching commercially . Some parts , such as claws , skin and teeth are also consumed for decoration purposes . As such , it is important to do as much as possible to ensure the health and well-being of the threatened animal . It is common practice in zoos to hand-raise all newborn clouded leopards . The cat is most commonly found in the Himalayan foothills through mainland Southeast Asia into China .
The kitten is being cared for at ICUN in Tampa , Florida . Since he 's only ten day old , he 's given 'round-the-clock care ' by staff . He is the kitten of two four-year-old leopards who were paired up in 2011 as potential mates by a conservation organization . Clouded leopards are classified as 'vulnerable ' by the the Lowry Park Zoo . It is therefore common practice to hand-raise new cubs in zoos .