Cougar Kitten at NYS Zoo

In early Sept. the NYSZ received information about an abandoned male mountain lion cub being held by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department. The cub was discovered and monitored by utility workers servicing lines in the area before contacting the FWP. FWP staff recovered the cub and brought him to the Wildlife Center of Montana to provide care for him, while trying to place in a new home. Wildlife Center staff estimate that he was born sometime in mid-July, and was either abandoned or became separated from his mother. FWP, working with the AZA Puma Studbook Coordinator, identified and approved the NYSZ as the new home for the cub.

Since his arrival in mid September, the cub has been in quarantine where zoo staff has been working daily with the kitten to make sure he is acclimated to human presence and in good health. Since he was alone and so young when found, Montana FWP staff spent many hours preparing him for a new role as an animal ambassador for his species. Once covered in camouflage spots, those are now fading as he grows into a bigger and cougar-like cat. He is still very playful, but his increasing size and strength make protected contact necessary. Zoo staff are very happy that he is practicing his stalking and hunting skills, and displaying appropriate mountain lion behavior. Over the next few months he will be moved from his off exhibit space into the exhibit area. He will spend time getting to know the exhibit and Boo, the Zoo's 9-year old mountain lion, who is currently on public display.

"We want the community to be aware that this animal is here and is part of the Zoo family, but it will still be some time before he is able to be viewed by the public. In the meantime, the Zoo will continue to document his every action on both our website and our Facebook page," says Kurt Hunt, NYS Zoo Marketing and PR coordinator.

In January, the Zoo will host a competition to name the kitten. Participants are welcome to stop up to the Zoo and drop their name suggestion into the box at Guest Services. The final five choices will be posted on the New York State Zoo's Facebook page and the entire community will have the final say.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Zoo
• NYS Zoo
• Watertown
• NY

[petnatcar]

With his fortunate discovery by the FWP you guys should call him "Lucky" and

he should make a terrific addition to the animal population at the Thompson Park Zoo.