Two Orphaned Cougar Cubs Find Refuge at Oregon Zoo
Two vulnerable cougar cubs have found a new home at the Oregon Zoo after they were discovered alone and helpless in southwest Washington last month. The male and female cubs, estimated to be around four months old, were brought to the zoo by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
A Second Chance at Life
Zoo officials determined the cubs would not have survived in the wild without the vital care of their mother. “We’re so happy we can provide a home for these cubs,” said Jen Osburn Eliot, who oversees the zoo’s Great Northwest area. “We wish they could’ve grown up with their mom, but since that’s not possible we’ll be doing everything we can for them. They’re still shy with people, so we’re giving them time to adjust and explore their new home.”
Currently residing in the zoo’s veterinary medical center, the cubs are undergoing thorough health assessments. Although the male is slightly larger, both weigh approximately 20 pounds – a testament to their vulnerability at such a young age. Plans are in place to gradually introduce them to their spacious cougar habitat in the zoo’s Great Northwest area when they are deemed ready.
A Familiar Story
“The cubs aren’t ready to venture out yet, but we’re getting the habitat prepared for a lot of activity once they are,” Osburn Eliot said. “In the wild, cougar cubs stay with their moms for at least a year, so we’re giving these two all the time they need to feel safe and comfortable in their new home.”
The cubs are not the zoo’s first orphaned cougar residents. Paiute, the zoo’s previous cougar, was also an orphan, brought to the Oregon Zoo by Idaho Fish and Game in 2010. He lived a long and healthy life, passing away earlier this year at the age of 15.
A Vital Role for Zoos
Cougars, also known as mountain lions, pumas and catamounts, are magnificent creatures with a wide distribution, ranging from southwest Canada to South America. While they are not currently listed as endangered, they face growing threats from human encroachment and the destruction of their natural habitat. Zoos play a crucial role in caring for orphaned and injured animals like these cougar cubs, providing them with a safe haven while also serving as vital ambassadors to educate the public about the importance of wildlife conservation.
What are the Oregon Zoo’s plans for the future care and exhibition of these orphaned cougar cubs?
## Interview: Oregon Zoo Welcomes Orphaned Cougars
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re talking about two orphaned cougar cubs who recently found a safe haven at the Oregon Zoo. Joining us to tell us more is Jen Osburn Eliot, who oversees the zoo’s Great Northwest area. Welcome, Jen!
**Jen Osburn Eliot:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** So Jen, can you tell us a bit about how these cubs came to be at the zoo?
**Jen Osburn Eliot:** Sure! Last month, a litter of cougar cubs was found wandering alone in southwest Washington. Tragically, they were orphaned and wouldn’t have survived on their own in the wild. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife stepped in, rescued them, and brought them to us here at the Oregon Zoo. [[1](https://www.oregonzoo.org/news/pair-orphaned-cougar-cubs-finds-new-home-zoo)]
**Host:** That’s heartbreaking to hear, but heartwarming to know they’re safe now. How old are the cubs, and are they doing okay?
**Jen Osburn Eliot:** They’re estimated to be around four months old – a very vulnerable age for cougars. Thankfully, they’re settling in nicely behind the scenes right now. Our team is providing them with round-the-clock care, making sure they’re getting the nourishment and enrichment they need.
**Host:** That’s wonderful. What’s next for these cubs? Will they eventually be on display for the public?
**Jen Osburn Eliot:** We’re taking things day by day. Our primary focus is their health and well-being. We hope to eventually introduce them to a larger habitat where visitors can see them, but for now, they’re adjusting to their new environment and bonding with our keepers.
**Host:** Well, I’m sure the public will be eager to see these adorable cubs. Any last thoughts you’d like to share?
**Jen Osburn Eliot:** We’re so grateful we could provide a home for these vulnerable animals. It reinforces the important role zoos play in wildlife conservation and rescue.
