Jungle Island Welcomes Biji and Japa, the Stars of the New Leopard Exhibit

Five-year-old Biji (prounced Bee-ja), a female melanistic leopard, or "black leopard"

Japa, a 4-year-old male spotted leopard

Jungle Island is proud to announce the grand opening of a brand new exhibit that will showcase two new residents to the Jungle: Japa is a 4-year-old male spotted leopard and 5-year-old Biji (prounced Bee-ja) is a female melanistic leopard, or "black leopard." The two came to Jungle Island from a sanctuary in South Carolina.

The exhibit’s grand opening event was streamed live online for the public, a unique feature for an attraction in South Florida. Interested viewers were able to log onto Jungle Island’s video feed and watch the opening event live! The recorded video is available on  www.ustream.com/channel/jungleisland.

The cats will be housed in a newly designed habitat that features similar elements to the park’s existing Tiger/Liger exhibit. Visitors will be able to walk right up to the glass and get an up-close view of these magnificent creatures.

Leopards are the smallest of the four “big cats,” and are known as agile and stealthy hunters. Just like its cousin, the jaguar, leopards can climb trees and like to spend a good amount of time off the ground. Their new habitat on Jungle Island has been specially designed to give these cats the ability to climb and jump as they would in the wild.

The new leopards join the jungle’s already diverse animal family which includes some of the world’s most incredible animals including a set of orangutan twins, a liger and a cassowary.

For more information on the new exhibit, visit www.jungleisland.com/leopards or call 305-400-7000.


Jungle Island is located at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, on Watson Island in Miami, and just minutes from world famous South Beach. The popular attraction shares space on the island with two other popular attractions, the Miami Children's Museum and Ichimura Miami–Japanese Garden. 


Jungle Island is open 365 days per year, from 10am-5pm on weekdays, and 10am-6pm on weekends. Admission is: Adults (Ages 11-64) $32.95 plus tax; Seniors (Ages 65+) $30.95 plus tax; Children (Ages 3-10) $24.95 plus tax; Children (Ages 0-2) Free. 

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