Mountain Lion Cub Removed From Home After Being Fed Bratwurst

WALSENBURG, CO – After a Waldenburg family posted photos of a baby mountain lion kitten they claimed to have "rescued" on Facebook, agents from Colorado Parks and Wildlife removed the animal from their home, finding it had become ill after being fed bratwurst.

The wild animal, under six months of age, was fed human food when it probably was not yet weaned from its mother’s milk and may have only eaten regurgitated solids from its mother, said said Travis Sauder, CPW district wildlife manager. The kitten was otherwise in good health and was taken to the nonprofit Wet Mountain Wildlife Rehabilitation in Wetmore.

The agency reminded the public that it is illegal in Colorado to possess wild animals and dangerous to the animals' health.

"If you find wildlife you believe to be orphaned, leave the area immediately and call CPW,” Sauder said. "By leaving the area, mom will feel safe to come back and retrieve her young.

"Many animals intentionally leave their young behind when startled, relying on the built-in camouflage of the youngsters’ spotted fur to keep them safe. The mother will then return to retrieve its young once the area is safe."

The people in possession of the kitten published photos Monday on social media showing it in a cage, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said.

"They claimed they found it in a snowbank after a snowplow passed by. They also claimed they released it back to the wild after allowing it to 'thaw out,'" a statement said.

In fact, an agent collected the kitten from their home in Walsenburg on Tuesday. He then took it to the rehab center.

"Wild animals do not need to ‘thaw out’ because they are equipped by nature to survive cold and snow," Sauder said in a press release. "When we do have orphaned wildlife, it's important we get them to licensed rehabilitators who specialize in raising these wild animals, who know what to feed them and how to care for them so we can successfully release them back into the wild once they mature."

Sauder said this kitten was kept far too long by humans to return to where it was found.

"It had been almost 30 hours since it was picked up Monday and its mom would not be in the area any longer," he said. "This is why it's vital to leave baby wildlife where you find them and call us immediately."

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