A mountain lion cub, nicknamed Crimson, was found alone in the Santa Monica Mountains at about three weeks old and has been taken to the Oakland Zoo for care.
Keepers say Crimson is missing toes on one hind foot, a possible reason his mother abandoned him. Because of his injury and extreme youth, staff concluded he would not survive in the wild and moved him into hand‑rearing and rehabilitation. Amber Foley, the zoo’s lead keeper, said staff use toys as temporary replacements for siblings he no longer has, and visitors and social media have taken to the cub.
Crimson is one of the youngest animals the Oakland Zoo has cared for. He has drawn attention as part of a broader shift in zoos toward rescue and rehabilitation rather than traditional exhibition. The zoo’s CEO, Nik Dehejia, said more time and resources are now invested in animals like Crimson — animals that wouldn’t survive on their own — and emphasized modern zoos’ focus on care, conservation and animal welfare.
Mountain lions in the region can grow to 200–300 pounds, but with the cub so young and injured, the zoo’s immediate priority is medical care, growth and social enrichment. Staff are monitoring Crimson’s recovery and development; decisions about his long‑term future will depend on his progress, mobility and ability to thrive.
The Oakland Zoo has taken in dozens of mountain lions over time as part of rescue efforts. Officials say animals with abnormalities or injuries often face abandonment and would not be viable in the wild without human intervention. For now, Crimson remains under the zoo’s care as a medically supervised and closely monitored resident, and staff say he has quickly won hearts.