RICHARD A. BEAUSOLEIL, Bear / Cougar Specialist, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Guest Post
Between 2002 and 2012, 26 orphan cougar cubs have been reported to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), captured by staff, and placed with facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) throughout the country (Table 1, Figure 1). In addition to over 15 million visitors per year at these facilities, innumerable television and newsprint stories have covered the capture, transport, and arrival of these animals reaching out to countless millions more people. This has not only resulted in high quality cougar educations programs benefiting people who may never have the chance to see a cougar in the wild, but also brought prominent national attention to WDFW.
The process of responding, capturing, providing care until the arrangement are finalized, and transporting animals requires organization, commitment, and on occasion, personal donations of time and money. In almost all cases, orphaned cougars are reported to WDFW by a member of the public concerned that the animals will not survive on their own. In many cases, the reports are given without the reporting party knowing the specifics; only that the kittens have been seen for some time without an adult. If it’s the first sighting, and we do not have background knowledge, we ask that they leave the animals alone and keep us posted; this avoids removing kittens that are not orphaned. Usually within few days, additional information is obtained and we are more certain that the adult is no longer present and a response is initiated. In addition to using several types of box traps, kittens have been captured using WDFW’s Karelian Bear Dogs, and also by hand on several occasions. Once captured, all kittens are tested for FeLV, transported to a veterinarian, given a thorough examination and care is administered if needed and biological measurements are gathered and recorded. Health certificates are then issued to facilitate transfer. Many times, kittens need to travel by aircraft to their final destination. Regulations require an absorbent material be used as a base layer in the crate, windows and doors be covered with breathable burlap, doors securely locked, and food and water provided. Flights are almost always direct to the destination. As much as possible, we keep the reporting party involved throughout the process; this had resulted in respect, credibility, and much appreciation. We acknowledge the assistance of Michelle Schireman, North America Section AZA Felid TAG Puma Population Manager & Regional Studbook Keeper, who has been an invaluable collaborator in placing these animals.
| Table 1. Orphaned cougar kittens donated to AZA accredited organizations from Washington and annual visitation at these facilities, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 2002-2012. | ||||||
| Date Found |
# Kittens |
Sex |
Age |
Location Found |
AZA Accredited Facility |
Annual Visitation |
| May 8, 2002 |
1 |
M |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Zoo New England, Boston, MA |
570,000 |
| August 21, 2004 |
3 |
2F, 1M |
16 weeks |
Duvall |
Memphis Zoo, Memphis, TN |
1 million |
| May 11, 2006 |
1 |
F |
Unknown |
Sequim |
Oregon Zoo, Portland, OR |
1.5 million |
| October 15, 2006 |
1 |
F |
5 weeks |
Walla Walla |
San Diego Safari Park, San Diego, CA |
1.8 million |
| February 1, 2007 |
1 |
M |
8 weeks |
Ellensburg |
Dakota Zoo, Bismarck, ND |
100,000 |
| February 6, 2007 |
1 |
F |
6 weeks |
Ellensburg |
San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA |
4 million |
| December 5, 2007 |
1 |
F |
5 weeks |
Cle Elum |
Topeka Zoo, Topeka, KS |
150,000 |
| December 14, 2007 |
3 |
2M, 1F |
14 weeks |
Cle Elum |
1 M placed with Henry Dorly Zoo, NE (2 died of starvation in quarantine) |
1 million |
| January 12, 2008 |
2 |
2F |
16 weeks |
Orondo |
Dakota Zoo, Bismarck, ND |
100,000 |
| January 18, 2008 |
1 |
M |
16 weeks |
Orondo |
Orlando Zoo, Orlando, FL |
died in quarantine |
| April 8, 2008 |
2 |
1M, 1F |
13 weeks |
Teanaway |
Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, LA |
2 million |
| March 13, 2010 |
1 |
F |
14 weeks |
Twisp |
Northwest Trek, Eatonville, WA |
185,000 |
| October 8, 2010 |
1 |
M |
Orondo |
Alameda Zoo, Alamagordo, NM |
60,000 | |
| May 16, 2011 |
1 |
F |
8 weeks |
Twisp |
New York State Zoo, New York, NY |
died in quarantine |
| October 30, 2011 |
2 |
2M |
6 weeks |
Shelton |
Nashville, Zoo, Nashville, TN |
550,000 |
| November 7, 2011 |
1 |
F |
7 weeks |
Shelton |
Houston Zoo, Houston, TX |
1.6 million |
| March 23, 2012 |
1 |
M |
12 weeks |
Twisp |
Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park, Palm Beach, FL |
300,000 |
| May 30, 2012 |
2 |
1M, 1F |
18 weeks |
Lake Chelan |
Henson Robinson Zoo, Springfield, IL |
90,000 |
| Total |
26 |
|
|
|
Annual Visitation 15 million+ |