Oakland Zoo Welcomes 2 Orphaned Female Mountain Lion Cubs — See the New Additions!

The Oakland Zoo has just expanded its animal family by two!

Earlier this week, the California-based establishment welcomed two orphaned female mountain cubs, according to a news release.

The animals were found along Highway 280, near the Hillsboro and Burlingame area, after an adult female mountain lion, who the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) believes to have been the cubs’ mother, was struck by a car and killed on Nov. 9.

About a week after the incident, Oakland Zoo said in its release that residents reported seeing the small kittens alone near the area, and they were later found safe in a nearby backyard.

The animals are approximately six to 10 weeks old and weigh 5 lbs. and 5 lbs., 8 oz., respectively, the zoo said.

After the two cubs were rescued and transported to Oakland Zoo by CDFW, the establishment’s veterinary hospital staff examined the animals through virus testing, parasite treatment and bloodwork testing, per the zoo.

The location added that vital fluids were also administered to “the visibly dehydrated kittens,” who marked the 25th and 26th mountain lion rescues part of the Oakland Zoo’s Rescue and Recovery Program.

Though the kittens were “underweight and dehydrated,” per the zoo, the tourist destination noted that the cubs were “showing no signs of extreme illness” and the facility was waiting to receive results surrounding whether they were anemic and would need blood transfusions.

According to the zoo, the animals are expected to remain in the ICU for several days, but once they are cleared, they will be moved to a holding area at the zoo’s vet hospital until CDFW determines a proper home for them. Because the kittens are so young and lack survival skills they would’ve been taught by their mother, they cannot return to the wild, the zoo added.

“Our team will be caring for the cubs daily to restore them to full health and for their overall animal wellbeing,” Dr. Alex Herman, Oakland Zoo’s Vice President of Veterinary Services, said in a statement.

source: people.com