When a farmer in Kalama, Washington, shot a female puma, a pair of cubs were left orphaned and alone. Without their mother to care for them, they would never have survived on their own. Thankfully, rescuers quickly swept in to save the orphaned puma cubs, who have now found a permanent home.
In the summer 2023, the Philadelphia Zoo embraced these two special cats with open arms – naming them Elbroch and Olympia.
The male cub, Elbroch, was named in honor of Mark Elbroch, a renowned puma researcher for Panthera, a leading conservation organization dedicated to protecting wild cats worldwide. Olympia, the female cub, derived her name from the state capital of Washington, where they were found.
Initially, the orphaned puma cubs were living in the Zoo’s on-site animal hospital, undergoing a quarantine period before their move to their new home — Big Cat Falls. Curator of Carnivores and Ungulates, Maggie Morse, lauded the expertise of the cubs’ new caretakers, “We are so thankful to our keeper and veterinary teams who have stepped up to give these cubs the best care possible.”
Fish and Wildlife chose the Philadelphia Zoo as the cubs’ permanent home due to its expertise in caring for this species.
This isn’t the first time the Philadelphia Zoo has played a crucial role in providing a home for orphaned puma cubs. In 2005, three cubs named Dakota, Sage, and Cinnabar found sanctuary at the zoo after being orphaned in the wild in South Dakota.
The zoo’s Vice President of Animal Well-Being, Rachel Metz, emphasized the importance of such placements, stating, “Without the intervention of the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the Philadelphia Zoo, these cubs would likely not have survived without their mother.”
“Part of Philadelphia Zoo’s mission is to inspire action to protect wildlife and habitats.” Rachel stated. “These animals will serve as ambassadors to educate our guests on the importance of apex predators and the challenges that revolve around humans and our relationships with predators in the wild.”
Pumas, also known as cougars or mountain lions, are fascinating big cats that live across North and South America. While the IUCN classifies them as “Least Concern,” pumas still face numerous threats in the wild. Habitat loss and fragmentation, car strikes, and human conflict continue to challenge their survival.
The Philadelphia Zoo offers a unique opportunity for visitors to safely learn about these incredible apex predators and the importance of their conservation. As Elbroch and Olympia settle into their new home, they will contribute to educating guests about the critical role that humans play in the relationship between predators and their habitats.
These orphaned puma cubs will thrive in their new home while raising awareness about the challenges faced by apex predators in the wild. If you’re in the area, don’t miss the opportunity to witness their journey and learn how you can participate in the efforts to protect these incredible animals.
You can hear more about the pair’s journey below:
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.
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