Zoo Welcomes Orphaned Cougar Cubs

The Oregon Zoo is a little fuzzier this week as two orphaned cougar cubs settle in behind the scenes. Found wandering in southwest Washington last month, the littermates — a male and a female — were rescued and brought to the zoo by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff, who determined the youngsters would not have survived on their own in the wild.

“We’re so happy we can provide a home for these cubs,” said Jen Osburn Eliot, who oversees the zoo’s Great Northwest area. “We wish they could’ve grown up with their mom, but since that’s not possible we’ll be doing everything we can for them. They’re still shy with people, so we’re giving them time to adjust and explore their new home.”

The pair are being cared for at the zoo’s veterinary medical center, and care staff estimate they’re about 4 months old. The male is the larger of the two, though at a recent vet check both cubs weighed in at about 20 pounds. Eventually they’ll move into the cougar habitat in the zoo’s Great Northwest area.

[kellyg]

Oh man I know I’m not supposed and I wouldn’t, but I really want to cuddle these babies

[beeble]

I'm glad they've already learned the proper way to sniff a camera. They'll fit right in at Oregon Zoo.

[aldosam]

Nothing can match the beauty of a cat, no matter the size.

[deanfirnatine]

Thank you Fish and Wildlife Officers for saving them

[GoldenPaloAlto]

As sad as a captive life is, thank you for saving them from harm without their mom to protect them.

[JAGzilla-urlh]

Total layman here, but yeah, I'd say these babies are clearly too young to survive on their own. It's sad that they won't be able to grow up in the wild, but I'm glad they've ended up in a safe place where they'll be taken care of!

[ItsMeHello]

I wish they could be rehabbed and live where they belong, in the wild. Beautiful.

[catherinebreitfeller]

Glad they will be safe now. Pity they cannot be free but better safe than dead

[DGreen-dk]

In glad they were rescued and safe now. But so funny, they're so interested in that camera. They'll be so thrilled to be in an enclosure where they can climb and prowl around.

[AndrewPriester]

Cougars are one of my favorite wild cats

[bjdefilippo]

Thanks to all who are helping them in this difficult time.

[Dennycrane]

Oh they’re beautiful! I know they’re wild, but I’d give anything to pet them! 🥰

[docwatson]

I can see these two missing the forest, and they really miss thier mom.

[melissaneal]

Look at them playing to the camera trying to get adopted by me!!! I’ll take them 💖🤣

[lorimatthew]

Thank you for taking these beautiful cubs in, and for taking care of them! Down here in Eug, most folks act like they've seen armed invading soldiers whenever a cougar wanders into a neighborhood.

[equarg]

Something must of happened to Mom😭
May she RIP knowing they will at least have fully fed, safe, and be cared for from now on.

[brooksmatthewjohn]

They have the cutest little murder mittens

[Mmdmade]

He’s like “all I got to play with is this dang piece of paper”!

[AudreySherman-xoqv]

So thankful that these cute babies were rescued and that they will receive wonderful care and a lovely home at our zoo. Can't wait to visit them!

[sheriwalker]

Amazing NW babes. Congrats to the zoo & wildlife officers for doing the right thing here.