The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens announced the arrival of two cougar cubs. The siblings, one male and one female, are about 10 weeks old and came to the Sanford zoo from South Dakota after they were found without their mother when they were two to three weeks old. The cubs were considered too young to be released back into the wild, so the zoo was contacted to provide them a permanent home and care.
The pair currently weigh between 9 and 12 pounds and are gaining up to half a pound each day. Under standard animal care protocols, the cubs will stay in quarantine for at least 30 days. Zoo veterinarians and animal care staff are monitoring them and watching for age-appropriate behaviors such as small climbs, scratching through substrate and calling to one another when startled, which the zoo describes as indicators of healthy development. The zoo's chief executive, Richard Glover, said the animal care team is giving the cubs specialized attention and that they are curious, playful and growing quickly.
Cougars are native to North, Central and South America and are among the continent's largest wild cats, known for agility, strength and adaptability. Visitors will have a chance to see the cubs later this year, once they are ready to make their public debut.
Press release issued by Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens:
https://www.centralfloridazoo.org/central-florida-zoo-welcomes-two-adorable-cougar-cubs/
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