Three mountain lion cubs, suspected to have lost their mother after a car accident, are currently being cared for at the Oakland Zoo in California.

The cubs, named Fern, Thistle, and Spruce, were located by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) in Portola Valley, just a short distance from where a female mountain lion was struck by a vehicle, according to a news release from the Oakland Zoo issued on Wednesday.

While many people reported seeing the adult lion after the accident, the “body has since gone missing,” and the investigation continues, the news release noted, adding that due to this, “CDFW can’t verify a connection between the kittens and the female lion using DNA.”

The two male cubs and one female cub were first spotted by locals “roaming around the neighborhood” and later hiding under a car. CDFW kept an eye out for their mother for two weeks, utilizing trail cameras and information from neighborhood security cameras, before they were brought to the Oakland Zoo last Sunday for rehabilitation.

“There have been no verified sightings of an adult female looking for or calling her cubs,” the news release explained. “Given their disoriented behavior, the absence of a mother for two weeks, and their proximity to where the adult female was hit, CDFW determined it was best to take the cubs for evaluation.”

Cubs Estimated to be Approximately Three Months Old

The cubs were brought to the Oakland Zoo’s Veterinary Hospital last Sunday where they underwent a “comprehensive health check,” which included treatments and blood tests. Although the cubs, assessed to be around three months old, were generally healthy, they were underweight after being without their mother for roughly two weeks.

The rescue of Fern, Thistle, and Spruce marked the zoo’s 30th mountain lion rescue, achieved in close partnership with CDFW, as noted in the news release.

“The advanced veterinary facility at Oakland Zoo has made it possible for us to rescue numerous mountain lions in need, whether they are ill, wounded, burned, or orphaned,” the zoo stated.

California’s mountain lions face significant threats mainly due to habitat loss and fragmentation, leading to increased human-animal conflicts such as car accidents. Other environmental challenges, such as wildfires, also threaten their survival in California, according to the Oakland Zoo and Panthera, a wildlife conservation organization focused on protecting big cats and their habitats.

These majestic felines, known as pumas, cougars, and screamers among other names, are designated as a “specially protected” species in California, making hunting them illegal, according to CDFW.

“As human development has greatly enhanced the quality of life for our communities, it has concurrently had a detrimental effect on wildlife and their natural environments,” stated Oakland Zoo CEO Nik Dehejia. “While we continue to flourish as a species, it is vital to take measures to ensure the preservation of others.”

Cubs Will Not Be Released Back into the Wild

Despite their time at the zoo, Fern, Spruce, and Thistle won’t stay there for life. The Oakland Zoo plans to coordinate with CDFW to find these cubs a permanent home. They cannot return to their natural habitat because cubs must spend at least two years with their mother to acquire essential survival skills.

“Since Fern, Thistle, and Spruce are still so young, they lack the necessary skills to survive in the wild,” the zoo explained.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter. Follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.