Oakland Zoo Rescues And Rehabilitates A “Feisty” Starving Mountain Lion Cub

 Here’s a story that’s worth documenting. After a five-day search, the search and rescue operation was finally over. The wildlife protection services were looking for an orphaned and reportedly emaciated lion cub that had been spotted by hikers just a few days ago, and their effort finally bore fruit.

With the help of wildlife cameras, search teams, and other tools at their disposal, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) finally found the orphaned cub. Rose, as she was called by Oakland Zoo staff, was in critical condition, and help came just in the nick of time. She weighed less than three times what she should weigh, and was so dehydrated that the tests didn’t pick up on the readings. Scroll down and learn what happened next.

This is Rose, an emaciated mountain lion cub that wildlife protection workers sought for days

Image credits: Oakland Zoo

Spotted by hikers last Tuesday, she was rescued in a nick of time

Image credits: Oakland Zoo

Rose was found by search patrols, using the help of cameras

Image credits: Oakland Zoo

She was in a critical condition. She weighed 8.8 pounds when a cub her age should weigh 30

Image credits: Oakland Zoo

Rose is receiving round-the-clock care. Besides being dangerously emaciated and dehydrated, she also had fleas and ticks

Image credits: Oakland Zoo

Image credits: Oakland Zoo

The specialists are cautiously optimistic about Rose’s condition. Her care team bottle-feeds her a few times a day with a formula

Image credits: Oakland Zoo

She won’t be released back into the wild since she missed out on learning the necessary hunting skills

Image credits: Oakland Zoo

Oakland Zoo and CDFW are searching for a good home for her to stay in