At the Oakland Zoo, there’s a special place dedicated to helping cougars, or mountain lions, that have been rescued. These majestic animals often find themselves wandering through the wilderness, sometimes even venturing into neighborhoods in California. Sadly, some cougar cubs end up orphaned for various reasons, and that’s where the Oakland Zoo steps in. The zoo takes in these cubs, providing them with the care they need until they can be moved to permanent homes. While in the zoo’s care, these young cougars receive essential medical treatment, proper feeding, and the necessary attention to help them grow. Occasionally, the zoo staff even have a bit of fun by hosting “growling contests” between the cubs, showcasing their adorable yet fierce personalities.
In one such contest, the zoo staff recorded three of the cubs during their time in the rehabilitation center. The cubs were judged on their body language, the depth of their growls, and how intimidating they could be. Of course, opinions on the results might differ, and that’s perfectly okay!
First up in the contest was Rose. When Rose was rescued, she was severely underweight, about 20 pounds lighter than she should have been. It’s likely that she had been without her mother for quite some time before being found. Fortunately, she made it through her first night at the zoo and started to recover well. However, because Rose missed out on the early training needed to survive in the wild, she’ll probably spend her life in captivity. In the growling contest, Rose didn’t have the deepest growl, but her fierce look and strong body language earned her the runner-up spot.
Next in the competition was Willow. This little cougar was on the shy side and didn’t offer much in the way of a growl during the contest. Willow and her sister, Maple, were rescued after their mother was hit by a car. Recently, the two cubs were relocated to Zoo New England in Massachusetts. Although Willow’s growl was rather weak, she’s been through a lot already, and with time, she’ll likely find her voice.
The winner of the Oakland Zoo’s cougar growling contest was Holly. Holly ended up at the zoo’s rescue program after being discovered in someone’s yard in Santa Cruz. During her time at the zoo’s hospital, a keeper noticed something special about Holly, remarking, “Holly is a little shy but very spicy — she’s not afraid to use her voice and show us how big and scary she is.” It was Holly’s intimidating presence that secured her the top spot in the contest. She was all business during her growl, getting up close to the camera with a fierce expression. Holly certainly lived up to her spicy reputation! Afterward, Holly and her best friend Hazel were moved to Big Bear Alpine Zoo in southern California.
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While the zoo staff enjoy playing with these cubs and sharing their playful growling contests, it’s important to remember that mountain lions play a crucial role in the ecosystem. These big cats help maintain biodiversity by managing prey populations and keeping other predators in check. However, as humans continue to encroach on their natural habitats, mountain lions are left with less space to roam freely. Though they tend to avoid areas with human activity, our presence still poses challenges for their survival. That’s why programs like the Oakland Zoo’s cougar rescue are so important, helping to ensure these incredible animals have a future.
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