PREVIEW

The Oregon Zoo is set to be a little fuzzier this Christmas after the rescue of two orphaned cougar cubs.

Found wandering in neighbouring southwest Washington last month, the littermates — a male and a female — were rescued and brought to the Portland zoo by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff, who determined the youngsters would not have survived on their own in the wild.

“We’re so happy we can provide a home for these cubs,” said Jen Osburn Eliot, who oversees the zoo’s Great Northwest area. “We wish they could’ve grown up with their mom, but since that’s not possible we’ll be doing everything we can for them. They’re still shy with people, so we’re giving them time to adjust and explore their new home.”

The pair are being cared for at the zoo’s veterinary medical center, and care staff estimate they’re about 4 months old. The male is the larger of the two, though at a recent vet check both cubs weighed in at about 20 pounds.

Eventually they’ll move into the cougar habitat in the zoo’s Great Northwest area.

“The cubs aren’t ready to venture out yet, but we’re getting the habitat prepared for a lot of activity once they are,” Osburn Eliot said. “In the wild, cougar cubs stay with their moms for at least a year, so we’re giving these two all the time they need to feel safe and comfortable in their new home.”

The last resident of the Great Northwest cougar habitat was also orphaned in the wild. Paiute was brought to the zoo by Idaho Fish and Game in 2010. He lived a long life in Oregon, passing away earlier this year at age 15.

Cougars — also known as mountain lions, pumas, catamounts and (in Florida) panthers — range throughout southwest Canada, the western United States and South America.

With the exception of the Florida panthers, cougars are not listed as endangered, but they do face many challenges due to human encroachment and habitat destruction.

The Oregon Zoo is home to many animals that were found orphaned or injured in the wild. From sea otters to black bears, these “second chance” residents serve as ambassadors for their species, helping to educate visitors and raise awareness on behalf of their wild counterparts