Tag Archives: mountain lion

Crimson, an orphaned three-week-old mountain lion kitten, is under the care of Oakland Zoo Veterinary Hospital. Photo credit: Oakland Zoo.

Oakland Zoo took in a three-week-old mountain lion kitten, who was orphaned in southern California.

The baby mountain lion (or cougar), is named Crimson. Oakland Zoo Hospital staff is bottle-feeding him every three hours. He came into the zoo’s care with missing toes on his foot, so the animal care team is monitoring him to make sure he’s using his leg and foot properly.

Crimson is being bottle-fed by Oakland Zoo animal care staff every three hours. Photo credit: Oakland Zoo.

In the wild, mountain lion cubs need about 12-18 months with their mother to learn essential survival skills. Because Crimson is so young, he lacks the skills necessary to survive in the wild.

After he rehabilitates at the Veterinary Hospital, the zoo hopes to introduce Crimson to Clover, the female cub rescued by Oakland Zoo earlier this year. Mountain lion kittens tend to thrive with a companion. The zoo has used this strategy successfully with other rescues.

When Crimson successfully rehabilitates, he will be introduced to Clover, another rescued mountain lion cub being cared for by Oakland Zoo. Photo credit: Oakland Zoo.

Crimson is doing well, but he is at a delicate stage, and veterinary staff will monitor him closely as he grows. Photo credit: Oakland Zoo.

If you would like to support Oakland Zoo and their mountain lion rescue efforts, you can donate at their website.

To learn more about mountain lions, see our article: Cougar.

Oakland Zoo helped rescue a 3-month-old female cougar cub earlier this month. Photo credit: Oakland Zoo.

Earlier this month, Oakland Zoo in California helped rescue a female mountain lion (or cougar) cub. She was found emaciated and wandering near a road. She is about three months old, based on her coloration and tooth development.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) performed initial veterinary exams on the cub and found her to be severely underweight, weighing less than half her ideal weight, and covered in ticks. They treated her for dehydration and tick infestation.

Clover received around-the-clock care at Oakland Zoo Veterinary Hospital. Photo credit: Oakland Zoo.

The cub, now named Clover, was then transferred to Oakland Zoo Veterinary Hospital. After further evaluation, zoo vets determined that Clover was in critical condition.

She received around-the-clock intensive care in the hospital’s ICU, including a blood transfusion using blood donated from a resident cougar at the zoo named Briar.

Briar, a resident cougar at Oakland Zoo, donated blood for Clover’s blood transfusion. Photo credit: Oakland Zoo.

Clover received a life-saving blood transfusion at Oakland Zoo Veterinary Hospital. Photo credit: Oakland Zoo.

Clover is doing better after receiving veterinary care, but zoo vets will monitor her closely. Photo credit: Oakland Zoo.

Although Clover is doing better, she is still being closely monitored by zoo veterinarians.

If you would like to help support Oakland Zoo and its Mountain Lion Rescue and Recovery Program, you can make a donation to Oakland Zoo online at www.oaklandzoo.org/give.

To learn more about mountain lions, see our article, Cougar.

Female cougar cub during an examination at Oakland Zoo Veterinary Hospital. Photo credit: Oakland Zoo.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife transported two cougar (or mountain lion) cubs to the Oakland Zoo for care after their mother was struck and killed by a car.

Oakland Zoo’s Veterinary Hospital staff conducted thorough exams on the cubs, including virus testing, parasite treatment, and bloodwork testing. They also provided vital fluids as the cubs were underweight and dehydrated.

“Our team will be caring for the cubs daily to restore them to full health and for their overall animal wellbeing,” said Dr. Alex Herman, Oakland Zoo’s Vice President of Veterinary Services.

In the wild, cougar cubs stay with their mothers for two years to learn survival and hunting skills. Since these cubs are only 6-10 weeks old, they cannot be returned to the wild and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will find a suitable home for them in a few months.

For more information, see the Oakland Zoo’s website.

To learn more about cougars, see our Cougar article.