Orphaned Mountain Lion Cub Finds a New Home at Oakland Zoo
Oakland Zoo Cares for Rescued Mountain Lion Cub, Crimson
The Oakland Zoo is providing dedicated care to a three-week-old mountain lion cub rescued in Southern California, zoo officials reported on Friday. The cub, affectionately named Crimson, was initially taken in by the Los Angeles Zoo after being rescued by the National Park Service (NPS) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on March 25.
At the LA Zoo, staff conducted thorough health assessments, including blood tests, radiographs, and a CT scan. The results indicated that Crimson is in good health, despite missing some toes on one foot. Following these evaluations, the cub was flown to Oakland, where initial examinations revealed he was healthy.
“The zoo is optimistic that Crimson will have a good life regardless of his history,” officials stated. “Although his health appears good at this time, he is at a delicate stage, and the zoo will monitor him closely as he grows.”
According to zoo officials, mountain lion cubs typically require 12 to 18 months with their mothers to acquire essential survival skills. Due to Crimson’s young age, returning him to the wild is not an option. Plans are underway for a potential introduction to a female cub named Clover, who was also rescued in March. This companionship is expected to benefit both animals, as mountain lion kittens usually thrive with a partner.
In addition to ongoing monitoring, staff at the Oakland Zoo are bottle-feeding Crimson every three hours, mimicking the care he would have received from his mother in the wild.
