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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — An orphaned cougar cub from California will soon be making his way to the Birmingham Zoo in early April.
The Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing habitat at the Birmingham Zoo officially opened on March 19. Currently, the habitat has three residents: an unnamed female cougar cub, and two rescued bobcats named Boomer and Baxter, who live in their own section of the habitat adjacent to the cougars.
Spruce is one of three orphaned cougar cubs living at the Oakland Zoo in California. According to the Birmingham Zoo, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife believe that the cubs’ mother was hit by a car about 0.3 miles from where the trio was found on Portala Valley Road in San Mateo County.
The Birmingham Zoo says that, in the wild, cougar cubs need about two years with their mother in order to learn survival skills. Because Spruce and his siblings, Fern and Thistle, were orphaned at a young age, the zoo says they do not have the skills they need to survive in the wild. Spruce’s relocation to the Birmingham Zoo was based on recommendations by the CDFW, as well as the personalities of Spruce and the female cougar cub currently living at the zoo.
The zoo will be partnering with FedEx to ensure Spruce is safely transported to his new home.
The public can vote for the name of the female cougar cub currently living at the Birmingham Zoo until April 1. The three names that are being considered are Sage, Sierra and Juniper. Voting is available on the zoo’s website.