This Orphaned Mountain Lion Cub Was Too Young to Survive Alone

Mountain lions may be some of the wild’s top predators, but when they are young, even they need protection. That’s why the Oakland Zoo recently stepped in to save a 3-week-old mountain lion cub, who was too young to survive on his own.

The cub, orphaned in Southern California, was originally brought to the Los Angeles Zoo by the National Park Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on March 25, according to a press release. They intervened to save the cub only after making multiple den visits, observing the kitten, and confirming that his mother was not returning.

The L.A. Zoo conducted a full examination of the cub and named him Crimson. They determined he was in good health (except for missing the toes on one foot) and flew him to Oakland with Flying Tails Animal Rescue. Oakland Zoo staff took Crimson to their animal hospital, where they have been caring for him, monitoring his foot, and bottle-feeding him every three hours around the clock.

“I’ve had the privilege of witnessing countless rescues,” Nik Dehejia, CEO of Oakland Zoo, said in the press release. “There is something so deeply moving about watching our team pour themselves so completely into a single life. Their skill, their sleepless nights, and their quiet determination motivate me. I can only hope that Crimson’s story and the work at Oakland Zoo impact all of you as it does me.”

How Long Do Mountain Lions Typically Stay with Their Mothers?

If Crimson had not been orphaned, he would have stayed with his mother for about 12 to 18 months, according to the press release. Without his mother, the zoo staff is doing their best to give Crimson opportunities to develop wild behaviors and socialize with other animals.

Unfortunately, even after he learns these skills and becomes independent, it will not be safe to release him back into the wild because he was rescued at such a young age. Instead, the Oakland Zoo will introduce him to Clover, a female cub rescued earlier in March, to provide companionship and create a better environment for both.

“While Oakland Zoo and CDFW prefer these kittens to remain in the wild, the pairing of Clover with Crimson will help improve their overall wellbeing and secure a brighter future for both cubs,” stated the press release.

Help Protect Mountain Lions

Mountain lions (Puma concolor) are native to North America, Central America, and South America. Also called cougars, pumas, catamounts, and panthers, mountain lions can grow to weigh as much as 198 pounds, although most adults are smaller. Baby mountain lions, on the other hand, are tiny, weighing only seven to 16 ounces when they’re born. They are completely dependent on their mother at first, only venturing out on their own at about 12 to 18 months old.

Dangers for mountain lions come from habitat destruction, overhunting, and conflicts with livestock. With help from the Bay Area Cougar Action Team (BACAT), the Oakland Zoo has rescued and rehabilitated over 30 mountain lions. You can support those efforts by donating to the zoo and leaving mountain lion cubs alone if you ever stumble across them.