Orphaned mountain lion cubs bond at Alabama zoo. See ‘sweet new friends’ snuggle
.jpeg "Orphaned mountain lions that were rescued separately became fast friends after one of them was taken to an Alabama zoo, photos show.")
One of three orphaned mountain lion siblings that were rescued in January in California has officially hit it off with his new companion at an Alabama zoo, officials said.
Spruce the male mountain lion joined Juniper, a female cub rescued in Montana, the Oakland and Birmingham zoos said in a joint news release April 8. The cubs were matched based on their personalities, and they seemed to take to each other almost right away.
Since caretakers introduced them, they’ve seen them “cuddling, playing, chirping (a form of communication), and getting to know one another,” the statement said.
A photo shows the pair snuggling together in a corner of their night house, where they’ll stay as they acclimate to their new environment, officials said. After that, they’ll move into the Birmingham Zoo’s newly opened cougar habitat, where they’ll live with two other bobcats, the zoos said.
In January, Spruce was found hiding under a car with his two siblings in California — not far from where officials believe the cubs’ mother was hit and killed by a car, McClatchy News reported.
Wildlife officials believe the cubs were about 3 months old and had been on their own for two weeks, McClatchy News reported. Because mountain lion cubs usually stay with their mother for about two years before dispersing, Spruce and his siblings, Fern and Thistle, were not eligible to be released back into the wild.
About a month before Spruce and his siblings were rescued in California, his new companion Juniper was rescued in Montana when a property owner found her stuck in his fence, the zoo said.
She appeared to be alone, with no signs of other cubs or adult mountain lions nearby, officials said. And even though she was emaciated, she had “a feisty spirit and appeared in good overall health despite her situation,” the zoo said.
She was taken to the Birmingham Zoo to live with bobcats Baxter and Boomer — and now Spruce, officials said.
The cougars were paired as companions for their similar personalities and age, officials said.
Several people rejoiced at the mountain lions’ newfound friendship in posts on the zoo’s social media pages.
“Sweet new friends!” someone said on the zoo’s Instagram post.
“Awwh Spruce has an instant bestie,” someone said on the zoo’s Facebook post.
“Aww Spruce!” another person said. “You snuggle up to your best buddy and feel safe sweet baby!”
This story was originally published April 9, 2025 at 8:02 AM with the headline "Orphaned mountain lion cubs bond at Alabama zoo. See ‘sweet new friends’ snuggle."
