Mountain Lion Cub Recovers From Car Accident in Orange County

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The mountain lion cub gradually regains strength in a safe outdoor environment.

News Summary

A mountain lion cub that suffered severe injuries from a car accident is on the mend and may soon return to the wild. Found in Orange County, the cub received extensive care at specialized wildlife facilities. After improving significantly over 80 days of rehabilitation, he’s now demonstrating natural behaviors and gaining weight. Wildlife officials will monitor his progress before his release into the wilderness, highlighting the ongoing threats mountain lions face on California highways.

Mountain Lion Cub Recovering After Car Accident and May Soon Return to the Wild

In a heartwarming update from Orange County, wildlife enthusiasts have something to cheer about as a brave mountain lion cub slowly recovers from serious injuries sustained in a car accident. This little fighter, a male cub about four months old, was discovered on the roadside on January 10, after being struck by a vehicle.

From Accident to Care

Upon his discovery, the cub was rushed to the Serrano Animal & Bird Hospital in Lake Forest where he received immediate treatment. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was then transferred on January 15 to the San Diego Humane Society’s Wildlife Center located in Ramona. This facility is uniquely equipped as one of only two in California capable of caring for mountain lions.

A Battle for Recovery

The cub faced a tough road ahead, suffering from a skull fracture along with severe head and eye trauma. Thankfully, he did not need surgery, and by late January, his injuries began to heal significantly. Intensive treatment, including nutritional support and pain management, set the foundation for his recovery journey. His condition improved so much that he was moved into an outdoor enclosure designed to help him regain strength while minimizing human contact – a major plus for wild animals getting ready to return to their natural habitat.

Nurturing in Nature

The outdoor enclosure is not just any space. Its design includes external shade and temporary walls to give the cub a sense of safety. Staff members carefully interact with him only during feeding times through a divider system, ensuring he retains his natural wild instincts. He is fed every few days on a diet that resembles what he would eat in the wild – think quail, rabbits, rats, and even venison!

Signs of Independence

After about 80 days of dedicated care, indications show that the cub is embracing his wild side. He is now demonstrating natural survival behaviors, such as hunting and instinctively avoiding human presence. When the cub first arrived, he weighed around 44 pounds, but he has since gained an impressive weight of an estimated 50 to 60 pounds!

The Next Steps

Before he can finally venture back into the wilderness, further monitoring and weight gain are essential. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife collaborates closely with the Wildlife Center to determine the perfect timing for his release. It’s worth noting that a chilling report from the UC Davis Road Ecology Center highlighted that California highways saw the deaths of one to two mountain lions each week from 2015 to 2022 due to vehicle collisions, emphasizing the threats they face, particularly in Southern California, where habitat fragmentation is an enormous concern.

Dangerous Roads

Specific highways have been identified as especially perilous for mountain lions, such as the Ortega Highway and the 241 Toll Road in Orange County. The incident involving this cub serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by these magnificent creatures, and the importance of wildlife conservation efforts in place to protect them.

A Helping Hand

The Project Wildlife program run by the San Diego Humane Society plays a vital role, rehabilitating over 10,000 injured, orphaned, and sick wild animals annually. The facility in Ramona also caters to a variety of apex predators, such as bears, bobcats, coyotes, eagles, hawks, and owls, showing that compassion for our wildlife is crucial for fostering a healthy ecosystem.

As the mountain lion cub continues on his path to recovery, we can all hope for the day he returns to the wild, reminding us of the resilience of nature and the crucial role we all play in protecting it.