A baby mountain lion, named Crimson, was rescued by state wildlife officials in Southern California after being found orphaned and left to starve. At just three weeks old, Crimson lost toes on one of his hind feet, likely due to umbilical cord strangulation, which may have led his mother to abandon him.
Crimson was initially taken to the Los Angeles Zoo for emergency treatment and has since been transferred to the Oakland Zoo, where he is receiving around-the-clock care, including bottle feedings every three hours. The Oakland Zoo, which has taken in 33 mountain lions, expressed hope for his full recovery, stating that although his health appears stable, he is at a delicate stage and requires intensive monitoring.
Due to his young age and lack of survival skills, Crimson will not be released back into the wild. Instead, he will live at the zoo, where he will soon be introduced to Clover, another rescued cub from El Dorado County. Clover was found severely emaciated and is currently recovering well. The zoo plans to pair the two cubs to enhance their social development and long-term wellbeing.
Crimson’s rescue highlights the challenges faced by mountain lions in California, including habitat loss, vehicle strikes, and expanding development. The Department of Fish and Wildlife, which authorized the intervention, noted that decisions to rescue are based on real-time monitoring and the likelihood of meaningful improvement in the animal’s condition.
The Oakland Zoo will continue to provide updates on Crimson’s progress as he grows stronger. For more information, visit the Oakland Zoo’s website.
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