The Minnesota Zoo will host its first-ever Amur Leopard Festival this weekend, July 19 and 20.

Fewer than 30 Amur leopards remain in the wild, making them the world's rarest cats, the zoo reports.

The festival will feature activities and support conservation efforts for the leopards, which are found at the southern tip of Russia's Pacific Coast.The Minnesota Zoo will focus on
the nearly extinct Amur leopard
at a festival this weekend.

The zoo currently has two Amur leopards on display. Sisters Katya and Polina were born in Oct. 2006 and came from the Audobon Nature Institute in New Orleans.

Festival Activities include:

9 a.m. - 6 p.m.: Minnesota Zoo Open; Animal Art Display

10 a.m.- 2 p.m.: Leopard face painting

10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.: Amur leopard keeper presentations

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Leopard games, crafts

12:30 & 2:30 p.m.: Music events

1:30 p.m.: Kids parade

The Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Valley [2]. Call (952) 431-9500 or visit mnzoo.org.