AssetID: 53211781
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Cute Orphaned Mountain Lion Cubs Rescued In California
Caption: Two very young mountain lion siblings, left orphaned after their mother was fatally struck by a car near the Hillsboro/Burlingame area on Thursday, 9 November 2023, have been rescued and transported to the Oakland Zoo by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Over the weekend, residents reported sighting the two cubs alone in the vicinity. The felines, both female and aged between six to ten weeks, were found safe in a backyard. These kittens represent the 25th and 26th mountain lion rescues under the auspices of the Zoo's Rescue and Recovery Program, dedicated to aiding local wildlife in distress. Upon their arrival at 11:30 am on Tuesday (14November2023), the Veterinary Hospital staff at Oakland Zoo conducted a comprehensive health examination on both female cubs. The examination encompassed virus testing, parasite treatment, and bloodwork testing. The visibly dehydrated kittens received vital fluids. Despite being underweight and dehydrated, they currently exhibit no signs of severe illness. The Vet Hospital staff awaits laboratory results to determine if the kittens are anemic and in need of blood transfusions. Dr. Alex Herman, Oakland Zoo’s Vice President of Veterinary Services, said: "Our team will be caring for the cubs daily to restore them to full health and ensure their overall animal wellbeing." Orphaned kittens, like these, typically spend an average of eight days in the Zoo’s ICU. Once cleared, they are moved to a holding area at the Zoo’s Vet Hospital for weeks or months until CDFW identifies a suitable home for the cubs. In the wild, mountain lion cubs require about two years with their mother to acquire survival skills. Due to their tender age, these cubs lack those skills and cannot be returned to the wild. "These cubs became orphans when their mother was struck by a car on a busy highway, a tragedy suffered by wildlife when safe passage across their natural territories isn't possible. We support and advocate for more wildlife crossings, such as the one opened in Santa Cruz earlier this year on Highway 17," stated Nik Dehejia, CEO of Oakland Zoo. In 2012, the Oakland Zoo participated in a training session aimed at resolving conflicts between humans and wildlife, leading to the formation of BACAT (Bay Area Cougar Action Team). The alliance brings together various agencies, non-profit organizations, local parks, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and mountain lion researchers.
Keywords: mountain lion,lions,feature,photo,video,animals,cats,natural world,nature
PersonInImage: