Overview

• On June 17, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife released the lion into a remote area of the Santa Ana Mountains after deeming it fit for the wild.
• The juvenile was struck by a vehicle in January and sustained a skull fracture, head and eye trauma, and lameness in its left hind leg before emergency veterinary intervention.
• Following stabilization at Serrano Animal and Bird Hospital, the lion was transferred to the Ramona Wildlife Center for long-term care in an outdoor enclosure.
• During five months of low-contact rehabilitation, specialists monitored weight gain, strength and avoidance of humans to ensure readiness for release.
• Meanwhile, two orphaned mountain lion cubs remain in minimal-contact care at the Ramona center until they reach healthy weight, exhibit wariness of people and demonstrate independent hunting skills.