Orphaned mountain lion cubs, Hazel and Holly, are stretching their legs and settling into their endlessly home at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo in the San Bernardino Mountains.
On Tuesday, Zoo staff said the lion cubs have moved out of quarantine and are now dwelling in their long-lasting dwelling upcoming to “Baby the Bobcat” and throughout the way from “Bodhi the Wolf.”
Before this 12 months, the orphaned cubs gained considerable veterinary therapy and significant treatment at the Oakland Zoo just after they ended up located in a susceptible point out, San Bernardino County officials stated. Arriving from the Santa Cruz Mountains just a several weeks aside, the cubs were being dealt with in the Oakland Zoo’s veterinary intense care unit for malnutrition, dehydration, anemia and significant muscle reduction.
Just after treatment method, wildlife authorities from the California Section of Fish and Wildlife deemed the duo “non-releasable.”
The workers at Huge Bear Alpine Zoo took above the care of the animals and utilised the zoo’s pre-current show established up for mountain lions.
Cubs shift in
On arrival at the Alpine Zoo in early May well, the cubs underwent a necessary quarantine period of time, a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the nicely-becoming of the cubs and present zoo people and reducing the danger of introducing health problems.
In the course of the quarantine time period, the mountain lion exhibit was modified to accommodate the teenage cubs.
Holly and Hazel are in fantastic condition and have gained pounds steadily as their weight loss plans have improved and new food items have been launched, said Zoo Curator Jessica Whiton.
The cats are also currently being released to enrichment products, Whitson included.
Welcoming site visitors
Following a effective quarantine time period, the cubs are little by little becoming released to their new exhibit and getting to be acclimated to zoo site visitors.
Visitors are encouraged that Hazel and Holly are even now receiving utilized to their new surroundings and occasionally conceal from check out.
County staff members has developed a video, which tells far more about Hazel and Holly’s story.
Previous Zoo Curator and recent Regional Manager for Major Bear Valley Recreation & Park District Bill Hoffman emphasizes the zoo’s commitment to each animal welfare and environmental instruction.
“Our target is constantly to rehabilitate and release animals every time attainable, but we also provide as a sanctuary for individuals that are not able to survive in their normal habitat,” Hoffman claimed. “Through our do the job, we try to foster respectful coexistence in between human beings and wildlife. Our mission is always conservation, rehabilitation, and education and learning.”
Hoffman said the cubs are unrelated.
Big Bear Alpine Zoo
The zoo has a loaded experience of caring for mountain lions and other mountain-weather animals in need of treatment and shelter.
The general public is invited to remain up-to-date on the cubs’ journey by adhering to the Alpine Zoo on Facebook and Instagram. The zoo’s social media web pages also have facts on all of the other animals and birds symbolizing a lot more than 85 species of animals on exhibit at the zoo.
Readers can see Hazel and Holly from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the Major Bear Alpine Zoo, 42801 Moonridge Street in Huge Bear Lake.
Tickets can be acquired on-website or on line at bigbearzoo.org. For much more data, contact 909-584-1299.
Each day Push reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz might be achieved at 760-951-6227 or [email protected]. Abide by him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
