"Valid criticism" comes down to very personal opinion.
For me, complaing about a free gift is just entitlement. Valid critisism it would have been for me, if they put the leopard in a pack we pay for and it takes up yet another spot.
But whatever, we will not come to an agreement on this one.
I don't disagree at all, but the African leopard is such a silly thing to include. Oh well, as you say, it's free.
Anyway, I'm looking for the announcement post. When do we think it will be up? This week? Next? I want to know what other species are in this DLC before I judge it. The baboon alone is great. I like the markhor but I wasn't really clamouring for it, but I don't imagine I'm going to use the Pallas cat very often. It's cute but on the list of cats I want it's pretty far down.
For an alpine theme there's not a whole lot I'm too interested in, but if they give us a Himalayan monal I'll be thrilled. We haven't had a new pheasant...ever. This also means the raccoon dog is a possibility, which, despite being rather niche, is one I've been hoping for (Little Japan here we go - macaques, raccoon dogs, cranes, fallow deer as a "hey we can't source the real thing" stand-in for the sika; all I'm missing is the Japanese serow and an exhibit animal (fire-bellied newt would be amazing)).
I'm also taking this as our final DLC. If we do end up getting another one, then great, but as it stands this is touching on a handful of highly-requested species and makes sense as a theme to bring them all in. It works as a send-off, even if a few of you are still clamouring for more animals from X-land and Y-ia. In any case I'll be pretty busy with Coaster 2 come November and the new CK3 DLC that's just dropped so I won't be hanging on waiting for more Zoo content.