Overview
- Biologists noticed the collared mother’s movements had shifted and she stopped returning to the den, so CDFW and the National Park Service rescued the vocalizing cub when his condition worsened.
- At the Los Angeles Zoo, veterinarians ran blood tests, X-rays, and a CT scan and found the male kitten, now named Crimson, healthy overall except for missing toes on one hind foot.
- State wildlife specialists say the toe loss may have resulted from umbilical cord strangulation, a possible reason the mother abandoned him.
- After transfer to the Oakland Zoo, staff are providing round-the-clock care with bottle feedings every three hours and close checks to ensure he uses the injured leg well as he grows.
- Because young lions need 12 to 18 months with their mothers to learn to hunt, officials ruled Crimson non-releasable and plan to introduce him to another rescued cub, Clover, to support social development.