Mr. Handsome the mountain lion.Photo: Oakland Zoo/Facebook
This mountain lion is headed back to the wild!
On Wednesday night, authorities captured the 2-year-oldmale mountain lionthat San Francisco residents had spotted roaming around the neighborhood of Bernal Heights for two days, according toThe Los Angeles Times.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) apprehended the big cat after someone spotted the animal hiding in a tree. Afterward, CDFW officials took the mountain lion to the Oakland Zoo to undergo a physical exam and receive several preventative vaccinations.
“He looks great,” Dr. Alex Herman, the vice president of veterinary services for the zoo, said of the animal, who weighs just under 100 lbs., according toNBC Bay Area. “No injuries. His teeth are perfect.”
In a video documenting the examination, the zoo noted that this is the15th rescued mountain lion they’ve treatedover the past 3 years.
Now that Mr. Handsome his clean bill of health, CDFW will release the mountain lion ‘in a rural, unpopulated area" of Santa Clarita County, according to a zoo press release.
“We take pride in doing our part to help rescue and protect animals in the wild through our partnerships and collaboration with CDFW, Bay Area Puma Project, and the San Francisco Police Department,” Herman said in the release.
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According to theCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), human-wildlife conflicts with mountain lions have “become increasingly common as more people move into mountain lion habitat.” While mountain lion attacks on humans are rare, “they will prey on vulnerable pets and livestock.”
Through partnerships with conservation organizations like the Mountain Lion Foundation and the Bay Area Puma Project, the Oakland Zoo works to educate the public to help conserve the species in the wild.
source: people.com
