(KRON) — An orphaned mountain lion cub was rescued Monday in El Dorado County with assistance from the Oakland Zoo. The male cub, which has been named “Briar,” is one of the zoo’s youngest mountain lion rescues after an examination determined him to be 4 to 5 weeks old.
The little mountain lion was first located by El Dorado County residents who were walking down a road in the area, according to the zoo. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife responded and began camera surveillance in hopes of sighting the cub’s mother or other siblings. After no other mountain lions were detected over the weekend, Briar was rescued by officials.
In the care of CDFW, the cat was able to gain weight through nourishment. Briar was then transported to the Oakland Zoo where his health continues to be monitored by the veterinary hospital team. “After a few days of care from CDFW, Briar gained some weight and came to the Zoo well-nourished and hydrated, and there was no need to provide fluids,” zoo officials said.
“Briar will remain at the Zoo until CDFW identifies a proper home for the cub,” the zoo said. “Mountain lion cubs need about two years with their mother in the wild to learn survival skills. Because Briar is so young, he lacks those skills and cannot return to the wild.”
CDFW and the Oakland Zoo were unable to determine why the cub was orphaned, though the zoo said mountain lions face a number of conservation challenges in the wild, including conflict with humans, habitat fragmentation and climate change.
Video courtesy of the Oakland Zoo.
