Portland, United States - December 06, 2024 The Oregon Zoo welcomed two orphaned cougar cubs this week, providing them with a new home after they were found wandering in southwest Washington. The cubs, a male and a female, were rescued last month by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff, who determined they would not survive in the wild without their mother. The pair, estimated to be about 4 months old, are currently being cared for at the zoo’s veterinary medical center while they adjust to their new environment. “We’re so happy we can provide a home for these cubs,” said Jen Osburn Eliot, who oversees the zoo’s Great Northwest area. “We wish they could’ve grown up with their mom, but we’ll be doing everything we can for them.” The cubs, both weighing around 20 pounds, will eventually move into the Great Northwest cougar habitat, where they will continue to receive the care and attention they need. The zoo’s commitment to providing second chances for animals orphaned or injured in the wild reflects its ongoing efforts to protect and educate about wildlife conservation.