A mountain lion cub that suffered severe injuries after being hit by a car has been successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild. The young male lion, now around 10 months old, was found in January with a fractured skull, eye damage, and a lame leg. After initial treatment at a veterinary hospital in Orange County, he was transferred to the San Diego Humane Society for long-term care.
During his nearly five-month rehabilitation, staff focused on managing his pain and encouraging him to eat. They quickly moved him to an outdoor enclosure to limit human interaction and help him retain his wild instincts. This approach was crucial, as the goal was to prepare him for life in the wild without becoming too comfortable around people.
After 150 days of care, the staff felt he had gained enough strength and demonstrated natural survival behaviors. On June 17, he was released into a remote area of the Santa Ana Mountains in Orange County, where he could thrive in his natural habitat.
Autumn Welch, Wildlife Operations manager at the San Diego Humane Society, expressed pride in the process, stating that this is the moment they all work toward. The humane society continues to care for two orphaned mountain lion cubs that were rescued in March, with hopes of rehabilitating them for a similar release.
The San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife program plays a vital role in caring for over 10,000 wild animals each year, including various species, with the aim of returning them to their natural environments.