On Sunday, Jan. 26, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) brought three orphaned mountain lion cubs to Oakland Zoo for rehabilitation and care. These rescues mark the 30th mountain lion rescue for the Zoo, through close collaboration with CDFW.
Thanks to an advanced veterinary hospital, the Zoo has been able to assist in cases for mountain lions who were sick, injured, burned or orphaned. The three mountain lion cubs, now named Fern (female), Thistle (male) and Spruce (male), are currently recovering there.
Mountain lions in California face many threats, including car strikes and wildfires. These factors contribute to human-wildlife conflict, increasing encounters as mountain lions encroach on urban areas and developments.
“As human development has significantly enhanced the wellbeing of our communities, it has simultaneously taken a toll on wildlife and their natural habitats…it is essential for coexistence that we also take action to ensure the survival of others. Now more than ever, we must continually advocate for establishing wildlife corridors, such as the recent overpass in Los Angeles, to maintain the biodiversity of our Golden State,” says Nik Dehejia, CEO of Oakland Zoo.
Fern, Thistle and Spruce were found in Portola Valley, San Mateo County. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) believes the mother of these three cubs was the same female lion hit by a car on Portola Valley Road about 0.3 miles from where the cubs were found. However, as the carcass has since disappeared, CDFW can’t confirm a relationship using DNA. The case is still being investigated.
Recently, Portola Valley residents spotted the kittens wandering the neighborhood, and they were later found hiding under a car. CDFW monitored for any signs of the kittens’ mother over the past two weeks, using trail cameras and reports from local security cameras with the help of the Midpeninsula Open Space District.
There have been no confirmed sightings of an adult female searching or calling for her cubs. Due to their disoriented behavior, lack of a mother for two weeks and proximity to where the adult female was hit, CDFW decided to capture the kittens for evaluation.
Oakland Zoo’s Veterinary Hospital staff conducted a thorough health examination on Fern, Thistle and Spruce, including treatments and bloodwork. The three cubs arrived at the Zoo relatively healthy but thin. Veterinarians determined that they were around three months old.
In the wild, mountain lion cubs need about two years with their mother to learn survival skills. Because Fern, Thistle and Spruce are so young, they lack those skills and cannot return to the wild. Oakland Zoo will work with CDFW to find these cubs a new forever home at an appropriate institution.To support Oakland Zoo’s efforts to rescue and rehabilitate animals in need, please donate at oaklandzoo.org/give.
