Orphan Mountain Lion Cub Rescued In NorCal

OAKLAND, CA — The Oakland Zoo recently took in one of its youngest-ever mountain lion rescues, an orphaned cub named Briar who is believed to be four or five months old.

The rescue took place Monday morning in El Dorado County after residents found Briar walking alone down a road, according to the zoo. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted ground and camera surveillance but found no mother or siblings, even after several days, so authorities brought him to the zoo.

Briar was named for the spots on his fur, which resemble a blackberry bush. He will stay at the zoo until the department finds a home for him. Because he is so young, Briar will not be able to learn the skills needed to survive on his own and cannot return to the wild.

Briar is the 27th mountain lion rescue through the zoo’s Bay Area Cougar Action Team alliance.