How Fish Skin Is Helping This Burned CA Mountain Lion Kitten Heal

CALIFORNIA -- A mountain lion cub that was burned in a massive California wildfire is finding relief with the help of tilapia. Veterinarians at UC Davis said recently that they are using the fish to help the young male mountain lion heal its wounds from the fire.

The cub was rescued on Dec. 22 from the Thomas Fire, the biggest wildfire in state history. The massive wildfire, which stood at 281,893, was 92 percent contained as of Wednesday.

Officials with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said the young cub was "doing remarkably well under the care of experienced wildlife veterinarians." All four of his paws were burned from the wildfire.

"Dr. Jamie Peyton, Chief of Integrative Medicine at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, has been providing consultation and assistance with the care of his burns, which includes applying sterilized tilapia (fish) skin to the most severe injuries," state officials said in a Facebook post. "The unusual technique – which doctors in Brazil have successfully used on human burn patients -- creates a biologic bandage to protect the burn area and provides collagen to help speed healing."

Because the cub is so young, it still needs a mother to be cared for in the wild. Therefore, it will be placed in captivity, state officials said.

--Photos courtesy of California Department of Fish and Wildlife