This pair of abandoned mountain lion cubs now call Big Bear Alpine Zoo home

Holly and Hazel were two emaciated, lone mountain lion cubs who both lost their mothers early on, leaving them abandoned and orphaned. Now they have each other, as well as a new forever home at Big Bear Alpine Zoo.

The pair, dubbed “partners in crime” by zoo curator Jessica Whiton, had a rocky start. They were found by wildlife experts from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in a vulnerable state, Whiton said.

They don’t share a mother, but were both on their own when they were found. Whiton said wildlife experts believe the cubs’ mothers could have been scared off or injured — in either case, they were forced to abandon their young.

Mountain lion cubs typically stay with their mother for 10 to 18 months. Whiton said Holly and Hazel are estimated to have been born in September 2022. They were both just a few months old when they were discovered by themselves.

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“We’re excited to have them,” she said during a tour of the cubs’ home Thursday, July 20.

Holly was found in the Santa Cruz mountains and Hazel near San Jose. Both were less than 12 pounds at the time, and transferred to the Oakland Zoo for hands-on veterinary care. The cubs were hungry, small and sickly, Whiton said. Holly even had to have a blood transfusion before she was transferred to Alpine Zoo in December when she was 3 or 4 months old. Hazel joined her adopted sister in January.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife deemed the cubs “non-releasable,” making it possible for Alpine Zoo to welcome them.

Whiton said the animals can have long, happy lives in the zoo. Mountain lions in the wild live to be about 10 years old, but in captivity they can live up to 21 years.

Now both about 10 months old, Holly and Hazel are gaining weight steadily, and doing much better, Whiton said. Both weighed nearly 66 pounds at their last weight checkup two weeks ago.

The cubs went through a 30-day quarantine before entering their new home to reduce risk of illnesses for all the creatures at the zoo. Whiton said the zoo previously cared for geriatric mountain lions, and they had to adapt the enclosure to welcome young mountain lions.

Their current space includes an air-conditioned indoor area with stacks of hay they can climb and rest on. The outdoor area has a wooden platform for climbing, areas of plants and hay where they can hide and find shade. They have a flat area full of plants, grass, tree stumps, trees, shrubs, rocks, and a small water area.

“We want to adapt it for their use,” Whiton said. “We’re planning to add windows (instead of chain-link fencing) and more areas for them to climb.”

Hazel and Holly are just starting to become acclimated to visitors, and even other animals at the zoo. bears living “just across the hall” from the mountain lions, Whiton pointed out.

The cubs are still getting used to other animals — including humans. They’ve also primarily worked with women at the zoo, so the cubs are shy with men — especially Holly, who hisses and growls at men she deems too close to the enclosure. But the duo are exploring and getting more accustomed to life at the zoo, and adapting to having visitors, Whiton said.

“The more things we can get them used to,” she added, “the better.”

Hazel was named for her hazel eyes. She is a bit bigger than Holly, less shy, and a little more relaxed overall.

Holly is grumpier, and a little smaller. She doesn’t mind letting out a hiss or two.

Whiton said they get along well, but don’t like to share. Caretakers try to keep food equal between the cubs, so they don’t fight. They’re not sisters, but they were found around the same time, and they are growing up together. They even sleep together at night.

The two are gaining weight and running around more in their enclosure. Their diet currently consists of “whole-body” items like mice, and also chunks of meat in a ball form coined “Nebraska.” They eat various meats, bones, fish — the occasional piece of steak or chicken — but they like whole animals, not just a bit.

They are also being introduced to enrichment devices, or little challenges for the mountain lions to actually search out their food, to encourage them to sometimes work more for food. This also encourages them to search for food, especially if it’s not in plain sight, and adventure around their habitat more.

Whiton said Holly and Hazel are thriving. While most mountain lions grow to be nearly 125 pounds, they estimate these two might be a little smaller since they were “pretty sick” when found.