3 Orphaned Mountain Lion Cubs Taken In By Oakland Zoo

OAKLAND, CA — Three adorable mountain lion cub orphans are being cared for at the Oakland Zoo. They were taken there on Sunday by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Wildlife officials believe the mother was hit by a car on Portola Valley Road, on the Peninsula, about a third of a mile from where the cubs were found. The mother has since disappeared, so a DNA link to the cubs cannot be made.

The cubs include one female, named Fern, and two males, named Thistle and Spruce. The trio is recovering at the Zoo’s Veterinary Hospital.

According to the zoo, mountain lions in California face many threats, including being hit by cars or burned in wildfires.

"As human development has significantly enhanced the wellbeing of our communities, it has simultaneously taken a toll on wildlife and their natural habitats," said Nik Dehejia, CEO of Oakland Zoo. "As we continue to thrive as a species, 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."

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife was contacted by Portola Valley residents who spotted the kittens wandering in their neighborhood. They were later found hiding under a car.

CDFW monitored them for two weeks, hoping their mother would find them. Trail cameras were checked, along with 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 with help from the Midpeninsula Open Space District."

Although thin, because their mother had not cared for them for two weeks, the cubs are healthy, according to zoo veterinarians. Unfortunately, without their mother, they will not receive training on how to survive in the wild, so they will remain in human care.

They will eventually be transferred to "a new forever home at an appropriate institution."

The Oakland Zoo has now taken in 30 mountain lions through its partnership with CDFW.

Learn more about the Bay Area Cougar Action Team, or BACAT. Oakland Zoo has rescued and rehabilitated 30 mountain lions, most victims of human-wildlife conflicts or wildfires.

If you would like to support Oakland Zoo’s efforts to rescue and rehabilitate animals in need, donations are accepted online.