Rescued mountain lion cubs, now ‘lanky teenagers,’ prepare for big move in California
Two abandoned California mountain lion cubs, who quickly became friends after being rescued within weeks of each other, are preparing for their big move down south.
Holly and Hazel, now “lanky teenagers,” will make their move to Big Bear Alpine Zoo the first week of May, the Oakland Zoo said in an April 23 Facebook post.
At the time of Holly’s rescue in late December, the zoo’s veterinarians estimated she was 3 to 4 months old and critically ill, McClatchy News previously reported. She improved vastly in the weeks after.
Hazel was rescued in early January and estimated to be about 4 or 5 months old, McClatchy News reported. Hazel was “severely emaciated,” only weighing about 12 pounds, and also has “severe anemia and hypoglycemia.”
Similar to Holly’s condition, Hazel’s condition also greatly improved, according to a Jan. 20 Facebook post from the zoo.
After slowly being introduced to each other and graduating from the hospital, Holly and Hazel made their way to a temporary holding area at the zoo near the resident mountain lions, the zoo said in a Feb. 24 Facebook post.
“This will give the two cubs a chance to interact with fellow felines (across a shared fence line) for a few weeks before they head to” a new home at Big Bear Alpine Zoo, officials wrote at the time.
The cubs strengthened their muscles by climbing larger structures, the zoo said in a Feb. 28 Facebook post. The cubs were also introduced to “sounds and smells of animal neighbors and human visitors.”
“Our mountain lion team is working with the kittens to acclimate them to different temperatures and weather conditions, spaces, and overall normal zoo activity,” the zoo said in a March 5 Facebook post.
The two are “all legs” and “each weigh over 30 pounds” after spending nearly two months in the temporary holding area, according to the zoo.
Now, it’s time for the cubs to find their place at their new home.
“It will be sad to say goodbye to Holly and Hazel, but we are excited they” have a new home “waiting for them in Southern California,” the zoo said in an April 14 Facebook post.
Big Bear Alpine Zoo is about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
Two rescued mountain lion cubs become quick friends and cuddle partners, video shows
Mountain lion cub named Holly found in ‘freezing weather.’ Here’s how she’s doing
Mountain lion cub named Holly found alone in ‘freezing weather.’ Now it has a new home
