Issued by the German Democratic Republic (DDR) in 1978, this 50-pfennig commemorative highlights the 100th anniversary of the Leipzig Zoo. The design features a finely rendered snow leopard (Uncia uncia) cub, known as Irbis, emphasizing the zoo’s conservation work with endangered species. The delicate engraving-style illustration showcases the cub’s soft fur texture and characteristic rosettes, making it a favourite among wildlife and zoological-thematic collectors. Part of a popular multi-value series, this stamp remains a strong thematic item for big-cat and DDR specialists alike.