Nearly 80 days after he was struck by a car in Orange County, a mountain lion cub is showing signs that he may soon be able to return to the wild.
Announced on April 5, marking the start of National Wildfire Week, San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center said the young male cat is making a promising recovery.
The cub was found on the side of a road in Orange County and, after an anesthetized exam, X-ray results showed he has a skull fracture and significant head and eye trauma. Upon further inspection, veterinarians also found the cub exhibited lameness in his left hind leg.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife brought the mountain lion into the San Diego Humane Society on Jan. 15, 2025.
“To support his recovery, the team provided intensive treatment, including pain management, nutritional support and around-the-clock monitoring,” said organizers in a release. “As the cub’s condition improved, he transitioned to an outdoor enclosure, where he could safely regain his strength while minimizing human interaction.”
Now, the mountain lion is purportedly exhibiting natural survival instincts, including avoiding human presence and hunting for food.
However, before he can be released, organizers said he has to gain more weight and meet more benchmarks to show he is capable of long-term survival.
“We work closely with CDFW to determine the best timing for his return to the wild,” said Autumn Nelson of the Ramona Wildlife Center. “Our job here is to set him up for success – to ensure he can fend for himself and stay away from human conflict.”
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