Orphaned Mountain Lion Cubs Moved to North Carolina Zoo

POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — Two of the three orphaned mountain lion cubs discovered in southeast Idaho in January have a new home — a zoo in North Carolina — but the third did not survive being tranquilized for the transfer.

Martha Wackenhut, a regional wildlife manager for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, writes in an article published in the Idaho State Journal that the two were transferred last week to Grandfather Mountain, a small nature preserve.

The third cub had what Wackenhut described as an unusual reaction to the tranquilizer. The state wildlife veterinarian is investigating the death.

The cubs were discovered about 25 miles north of Preston. They were skinny and less than six months old. Wackenhut says they were safely captured with the help of local hound-handlers, then kept for eight weeks to gain weight before the transfer.