OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Zoo recently welcomed a litter of orphaned mountain lion cubs rescued from the wild.
The cubs, two males and one female, are approximately nine weeks old and arrived at the zoo in late January. The cubs were born in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and found by game officials with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks
After realizing the cubs' mother was deceased officials worked to find a permanent home for the litter.
“By bringing these orphaned cubs to the OKC Zoo and providing them with the care, veterinary monitoring and enriching environment needed to thrive we are ensuring their survival.” said Tyler Boyd, OKC Zoo animal curator. “Since it opened in 2007, Oklahoma Trails has been home to mountain lions, and we are excited to watch these brothers grow and become beloved ambassadors for the habitat. We want to connect our guests to the importance of caring for native wildlife and wild places, and communicate why it’s vital to protect both.”
The female cub will eventually be relocated to a zoo in Waco, Texas later this summer.
Mountain lions once roamed most of the United States, including Oklahoma, but now the largest populations inhabit the western U.S.
The cubs will undergo a wellness exam on Wednesday.
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