News Release

CONTACT:       
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance 
Public Relations 
619-685-3291 
publicrelations@sdzwa.org   
sdzwa.org   

UC Davis News and Media Relations 
Kat Kerlin 
530-750-9195 
kekerlin@ucdavis.edu  

California Department of Fish and Wildlife 
Jordan Traverso 
916-212-7352 
jordan.traverso@wildlife.ca.gov

NEWS RELEASE

Three Orphaned Mountain Lion Cubs Rescued in San Diego

The Young Lions Will be Cared for at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park 

SAN DIEGO (Dec. 13, 2023) – San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently rescued three orphaned mountain lion cubs. The cubs—approximately 6 weeks old at the time of their rescue—were each found separately following an extensive search over the span of a week. Each cub was treated in the field for dehydration before being taken to Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Because the young lions were orphaned at an early age, they cannot be safely reintroduced into their native habitat. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife designated the San Diego Zoo Safari Park as a safe haven for the rescued cubs, offering them a second chance and lifelong care. 

“Mountain lions are a keystone species right here in our own backyard” said Lisa Peterson, executive director, San Diego Zoo Safari Park. “It’s been a privilege to nurse these youngsters back to full health, and we now have the honor of caring for them long term. While our research teams and our conservation partners continue their mountain lion work in the field, the Safari Park will be a refuge for these three cubs offering them native landscapes and new opportunities to thrive, while sharing the importance of coexistence among wildlife with our guests.” 

A search party consisting of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, UC Davis Wildlife Health Center, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife assembled to find the cubs. They leveraged data from the GPS collar of the mother, designated F307 by the UC Davis mountain lion research team, to determine the search area. On the first day of the search, team members from UC Davis found the first cub hiding in a hole, and the second was wedged tightly between two rocks. Three days later, they found the third cub crouching in chaparral. The search continued for several more days and remote trail cameras found no evidence of other cubs. All three cubs were within 250 feet of each other. Due to their young age, they likely would not have survived more than one week on their own. The trio were reunited at the Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center and nursed back to full health.  

“Our UC Davis mountain lion study team really appreciated the help from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and the Department of Fish and Wildlife in the effort to locate the cubs, and the willingness of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to give them excellent care long term,” said Dr. Winston Vickers, director, Southern California Mountain Lion Program, Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center. “As veterinarians, we use education and research to help people living in mountain lion habitat to protect their pets and livestock at night, assuring the health of both those animals and mountain lions.”   

Mountain lions—also known as cougars, pumas or panthers—are a keystone species ranging from Canada to the tip of South America. They are extremely versatile and adaptable, surviving in a range of habitats including high mountains, deserts, coastal areas and even cities. In Southern California, their proximity to people has put local mountain lions at risk of population decline and even extinction due to low annual survival rates. Ongoing and collaborative efforts between conservation partners, like these which have saved these orphaned cubs, help assure long-term survival of this iconic species in Southern California. 

### 

About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance 
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a nonprofit conservation leader, inspires passion for nature and collaboration for a healthier world. The Alliance supports innovative conservation science through global partnerships. Through wildlife care, science expertise and collaboration, more than 44 endangered species have been reintroduced to native habitats. Annually, the Alliance reaches over 1 billion people, in person at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and virtually in 150 countries through media channels, including San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers television programming in children’s hospitals in 13 countries. Wildlife Allies—members, donors and guests—make success possible.  

About the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center at UC Davis 
The Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center works to maintain the health of wildlife, people and environment through science, technology and education. As the largest center within the One Health Institute at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, the Wildlife Health Center’s work recognizes that the health of domestic animals, wildlife, people and the environment are inextricably linked.  The Center’s projects and programs focus on free-ranging and captive terrestrial and aquatic wild animals. Through service, training and research, the Center aims to restore ecosystem health and address complex issues like zoonotic diseases that impact animals and humans. As key components of the One Health Institute and the School of Veterinary Medicine, the Wildlife Health Center provides broad-based service, training and research activities as they relate to wildlife health and conservation. 

About the California Department of Fish and Wildlife 
The mission of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is to manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and their use and enjoyment by the public.