Petition: Three Mountain Lion Cubs Rescued from California Wildfire

The Columbus Zoo shared that they would be taking three mountain lion cubs rescued from the California wildfires. One orphaned cub was rescued from the Zogg fire in California.

The cub was originally taken to a California zoo because the California Department of Fish and Wildlife was overwhelmed by so many displaced animals due to the fires. Wildlife biologist Pete Figura told CNN that the cub was “alert & feisty.”

Per a statement on the Columbus’ zoo’s Facebook, “The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will soon be home to three new (adorable) faces! Mountain lion cubs, Captain Cal, and two sister cubs (unrelated to him) will be arriving in the coming weeks from Oakland Zoo.

The Cal Firefighters named the male cub “Captain Cal” when they found him limping down a burned-out road in Redding on September 30, 2020. Firefighters found Captain Cal was orphaned and severely burned. He is now fully recovered 47 days after he was rushed to Oakland Zoo’s veterinary hospital by the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW).

With surgery, antibiotics, supportive fluids, pain medication, hand-feedings, daily bandage changes, and round-the-clock care, Captain Cal is ready to make the journey to the Columbus Zoo. He will be joined by the two female cubs, who were orphaned by the August Complex fire. ”

“The Columbus Zoo is proud to collaborate with Oakland Zoo and offer a home to these cubs, who will reside in the Zoo’s North America region,” the Zoo’s statement said. “The Oakland Zoo staff has provided the Columbus Zoo team the opportunity to name the two female cubs. The Columbus Zoo will announce the cubs’ names in the coming weeks.”

While it’s great that these mountain lion cubs were rescued, it’s important to remember that zoos are not the best environment for animals. Because of the stress of small enclosures and constantly being watched by people, many animals will grow depressed and even develop zoochosis, causing them to engage in a variety of self-harming behaviors. These animals may even lash out at other animals or people around them. Sanctuaries, where the focus is on the animals are much better because they can live in larger, more natural spaces without human visitors watching. An animal’s wellbeing will never be compromised for a human’s entertainment at a real sanctuary.

So far in 2020, at least 8,000 fire incidents have been reported by Cal Fire. 4 million acres, a record, have burned in the fires. Read more about the wildfires in One Green Planet, including the Silverado and Colorado fires and animals in Washington State affected by fires in the area.

Sign this petition to demand that U.S. legislators come together to unanimously support a Green New Deal so that we can finally address the climate crisis.

This article was first published by OneGreenPlanet on 23 November 2020. Lead Image Source : AB Photographie/ Shutterstock.com.

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