A hero firefighter on a mission to extinguish the Californian wildfires rescued a lone mountain lion baby that had been badly burned.
The little male cub, who was only 4 to 6 weeks of age was then brought to be cared for by the Oakland Zoo. It weighed only 3.75 pounds.
According to the zoo, after the firefighter found the injured baby, it was given to California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife, which asked the zoo for its help in caring for it.
Zoo employees said the baby was severely burned, especially its paws. Its little whiskers were also burned off and his eyes were badly irritated.
An orphaned mountain lion cub, named "Captain Cal" after the firefighter who saved him from a wildfire near Redding, is making progress on his road to recovery.
**Be sure to click and watch the sweet video of feisty Captain Cal slurp up some milk**https://t.co/yButI8TPbx
— KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO (@KNX1070) October 9, 2020
The workers gave the cub a bath, as well as medicine, including a milk formula for cats through a syringe.
They then did an X-ray in order to determine the severity of the damage to his lungs and bones due to smoke inhalation, but thankfully there was none.
We are delighted that an orphaned, dying mountain lion treated at @sdhumane’s Project Wildlife is finally feeling much better! The cub was located by firefighters in Idyllwild in critical condition: emaciated, dehydrated and weak. Now the cub has more than doubled in size. pic.twitter.com/38FCzPYytx
— San Diego Humane Society (@sdhumane) October 7, 2020
In a press release, the zoo said the baby, named “Captain Cal” after the fire brigade, was starting to eat on his own and was “acting feisty” which are great signs of betterment.
“We’re grateful to be part of this amazing little cub’s rescue and rehabilitation,” the zoo’s veterinary hospital director, Dr. Alex Herman said in a statement. “We’re cautiously optimistic that this cub will now survive and thrive, our dedicated team at Oakland Zoo is fully committed to do everything we can for him and for his beautiful species.”
A tiny symbol of hope from the devastating fires in California. Meet “Captain Cal,” an orphaned mountain lion cub. A @CAL_FIRE firefighter rescued the 4 lb. cub from the Zogg Fire. Vets @oakzoo who bandaged his burned paws say "Captain Cal" is on course for a full recovery. pic.twitter.com/aLKUJ0hViG
— Pattrn (@pattrn) October 6, 2020
Usually, mountain lion babies stay with their mothers all the way up to two years of age so they can be taught how to stay alive in the wilderness, the zoo said. Because this cub became an orphan while he was still a baby, he is to be moved to a “suitable forever home” after he completely recovers in the zoo, according to the press release.
For Inside Edition’s report on the story, please see the video below.
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