At the Oakland Zoo a three-week-old male mountain lion cub was found alone in the Santa Monica Mountains in Southern California in late March 2026.
The mountain lion cub was brought to the Los Angeles Zoo by National Park Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife staff on March 25. When he arrived, he was given a physical examination including blood work, radiographs and a CT scan. He was determined to be in good condition except for missing toes on one paw – likely the result of trauma while in the wild.
At the time, he needed to be bottle fed every three hours and is one of the youngest cubs ever rescued and cared for by the zoo staff.
Zoo Veterinary and Animal Care staff have continued monitoring his foot closely as he grows to ensure he uses the leg properly, and it doesn’t cause any complications.
The cub, named Crimson, is too young to be released back into the wild. He was orphaned before his mother could teach him the skills necessary to survive.
After he successfully rehabilitates at the vet hospital, it is hoped to introduce Crimson to Clover, the female cub rescued earlier this month. Very important to the development of the cub has been to allow him space to act as much like a wild mountain lion as possible.
There is no doubt this little guy hasn’t clawed his way into the hearts of the internet.
According to Nik Dehejia, the CEO of the Oakland Zoo, personnel have excelled in the care they provide for these animals:
I’ve had the privilege of witnessing countless rescues. There is something so deeply moving about watching our team pour themselves so completely into a single life. Their skill, their sleepless nights, and their quiet determination motivate me. I can only hope that Crimson’s story and the work at Oakland Zoo impact all of you as it does me,” says Nik Dehejia, CEO of Oakland Zoo.
Check out the video:
The cub was given a giant stuffed sloth, which although the interaction is beyond adorable, the hugging and fighting with it as he kicks it, is part of his natural recovery and instinct development.
Soon Crimson will be introduced to another rescued cub named Clover.
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