Environment
Rescued mountain-lion cub Crimson gets permanent sanctuary home
The Southern California cub, now thriving on three legs, will move from Oakland Zoo to an accredited wildlife refuge in Arkansas.
Crimson, a mountain-lion cub rescued from Southern California’s Santa Monica Mountains in March, has been assigned a permanent home at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the Oakland Zoo announced.
Rescued: March 25 at about three weeks old
Current care: Oakland Zoo
Permanent home: Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
Recovery after leg amputation
Biologists used the mother’s GPS-collar data and camera monitoring before determining she had moved to another den and was no longer returning. The cub was first evaluated at the Los Angeles Zoo, then transferred to Oakland Zoo for long-term care.
Several missing toes and an injured hind paw ultimately led veterinarians to amputate the leg. Zoo officials say Crimson has recovered well and adapted to moving on three legs. Because of his young age and permanent injury, wildlife officials determined he could not be released to the wild.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife selected the 460-acre Turpentine Creek refuge, which is accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Oakland Zoo said Crimson is expected to make the trip in the coming weeks and promised another update after he settles in.
Sources: Oakland Zoo announcement — October 10 → · KTLA/Nexstar report — October 11 → · CDFW rescue background — March 26 →