On Thanksgiving day 2023 in California, a male mountain lion cub was found as the victim of a hit and run at the young age of 5 months. This is a story of veterinary intervention and care helping this young cub recover and later be released back into the wild seven months later.
Introduction
Mountain lions face habitat fragmentation and decreased resources, which threaten the survival of the population. Unfortunately, the numbers indicate that humans are responsible for around 3000 mountain lions yearly in the United States of America. Therefore, organizations and wildlife vets have taken it upon themselves to jump in and help save these beautiful animals.
Mountain Lion Cub Discovered As a Hit-and-Run Victim
The young cub was discovered on the side of the road after being hit by a car. The cub had a badly fractured hind leg, which required surgery to mend the damage. As well as being malnourished and dehydrated. The cub was taken to and treated at the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center.
Two Surgeries Performed On The Cub
The cub underwent two surgeries to mend the broken leg. The first surgery was to place 10 metal screws and a plate into the tibia to repair the fractured hind leg. The second was to amend the placement of the screws after monitoring the cub’s progress and healing in the special indoor hospital enclosure.
The Team Performing The Surgeries
Project Wildlife and shelter veterinarians performed the surgery. This collaboration enabled the teaching and sharing of skills across different specializations of veterinarians.
The Recovery
The cub lived in an indoor animal enclosure for the first three weeks post-operation. Cameras monitored the cub to limit interaction with humans and movement to avoid damage to the healing leg. The veterinarians revised the placement of the screws during a second surgery, after which the cub was moved to an outdoor enclosure. The cub continued his rehabilitation for six months to ensure he was at full strength to return to the wild and fend for himself.
The Release Of The Mountain Lion Back Into Nature
The cub was released back into the wild in Ventura County on June 26th. He spent seven months at the San Diego Human Society’s Ramona Wildlife Centre, where he underwent two surgeries and rehabilitation. The team responsible for the cub kept him in an enclosure for six months after the second operation to ensure he was at his full strength to survive and thrive in the wild after his surgery.
The Hope For This Mountain Lion To Survive In The Wild
This heartwarming story of the survival and resilience of a young mountain lion cub is an excellent testament to all of those involved in ensuring the cub got a second chance. This surgery and recovery required state-of-the-art wildlife care along with funding from the right people. To top it off, the teams ensured this cub had minimal interactions with humans and that he was ready to be released back into the wild as a wild animal without reliance on human assistance. This cub was fitted with a GPS collar and will be monitored on his progress.
Are Cougars And Mountain Lions The Same?
Yes. Mountain lions are also known as cougars, pumas, panthers, or catamounts.
What Is A Mountain Lion
Mountain lions belong to the genus Puma, also known as cougars or Pumas. They are more closely related to smaller feline species than larger cat species, such as leopards or lions. An adult male can reach up to 100 to 220 pounds (50 to 100kg), whereas adult females are a bit smaller, weighing around 64 to 114 pounds (29 to 64kg).
How Many Mountain Lions Are There?
There are varying reports on the estimation of remaining mountain lions. According to the Mountain Lion Federation, the population of mountain lions is unlikely to exceed 30,000. Unfortunately, due to habitat fragmentation and decreased resources, these numbers are believed to be likely to decline. Unfortunately, it is estimated that humans are responsible for the death of 3000 mountain lions in the USA each year, making the story of this lion cub a great survival story.
How Many Cubs Does A Female Have?
The female mountain lion can breed all year round. She can give birth every two years with litters ranging between one to six cubs.
How Long Do The Cubs Stay With Their Mom?
Mountain lion cubs stay with their mother for 15 months more commonly but can stay with them for up to 26 months.
How Long Does A Mountain Lion Live For?
In the wild, they can live for around ten years. Meanwhile, in captivity, they can live up to 21 years of age.
What Do Mountain Lions Eat?
Mountain lions are predators and therefore carnivorous in diet. In the wild, they hunt their prey usually at night by lying in wait or silently stalking before pouncing onto them. They generally prey on deer but are known to go for smaller animals. During times of extreme need, they might even consume insects.
Are Mountain Lions Dangerous?
Since 1868, there have been about 29 cases (not all confirmed) of fatal mountain lion attacks in North America. Whilst this is not a high number, it is important to note that mountain lions are wild animals and have the potential to cause injury or death. Therefore, one must always treat them as predators and view them from a safe distance, following all guidelines by official park rangers.
Where Do Mountain Lions Live?
Most mountain lions are found in mountainous regions and are native to the Americas. They can be found in ecosystems ranging from sea level to high altitudes, choosing to inhabit places where there is shelter and prey. They can be found in North, Central, and South America. They are the most widely distributed terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere and, therefore, among the most widespread in the world.
Fun Fact
Mountain lions, unlike other large cats, cannot roar. Instead, they growl, hiss, and purr, similarly to domestic cats.
Conclusion
This story of the young cub’s survival is a testament to teamwork among experts and the role humans can have in preserving the mountain lion population. I hope this unfortunate incident also highlights the importance of adhering to caution signs when driving and that if something happens, contact the correct teams immediately. This cub was given the best care, and I hope he will thrive in the wild for many years.
Alex enjoys writing about domestic animals such as dogs, cats, and horses. As well as exploring some of the wildlife in Africa.
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