Two orphaned siblings will join other Southwest-native animals on exhibit.
This weekend, two mountain lion cubs will make their debut at the OC Zoo in Irvine Regional Park. Since the cubs’ arrival in December, zoo staff has been working with the cubs to prepare them for life at the zoo, including teaching them enrichment exercises and training them to make medical exams easier.
The 9-month-old sibling cubs were orphaned and rescued late last year, and could not have survived in the wild on their own. They join other rescued animals at the zoo that are native to Orange County, but are not suitable to be released into the wild.
This weekend, two mountain lion cubs will make their debut at the OC Zoo in Irvine Regional Park. Since the cubs’ arrival in December, zoo staff has been working with the cubs to prepare them for life at the zoo, including teaching them enrichment exercises and training them to make medical exams easier.
The 9-month-old sibling cubs were orphaned and rescued late last year, and could not have survived in the wild on their own. They join other rescued animals at the zoo that are native to Orange County, but are not suitable to be released into the wild.
Large predators like mountain lions are critical to maintaining balance in the ecosystem, and their elusive nature means they are rarely sighted in the wild. Programs and exhibitions at the OC Zoo help educate the public on the role these animals play in nature, and being able to see the animals up close helps visitors learn more about each species. For instance, many reported mountain lion sightings are actually bobcat sightings, and at the OC Zoo visitors can see two young mountain lions, one adult mountain lion, and two adult bobcats to compare their relative size and markings.
The two mountain lion cubs will also have eagles, deer and coyotes as neighbors, and will be on exhibit in a newly renovated enclosure. Their debut will be marked by a special event on Saturday, March 31 at noon, when Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell, Third District, will announce a contest to name the two new residents of the OC Zoo.
Irvine Regional Park is located at 1 Irvine Park Road in Orange, and admission to the OC Zoo is $2 (children under 2 are free). Parking for Irvine Regional Park is $5 per vehicle. For park and zoo hours, visit www.ocparks.com.
The two mountain lion cubs will also have eagles, deer and coyotes as neighbors, and will be on exhibit in a newly renovated enclosure. Their debut will be marked by a special event on Saturday, March 31 at noon, when Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell, Third District, will announce a contest to name the two new residents of the OC Zoo.
Irvine Regional Park is located at 1 Irvine Park Road in Orange, and admission to the OC Zoo is $2 (children under 2 are free). Parking for Irvine Regional Park is $5 per vehicle. For park and zoo hours, visit www.ocparks.com.
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