Pet Scoop: Trio of Orphaned Cougar Cubs Rescued, Therapy Dog Needs Treatment
Published on September 25, 2015
Sept. 25, 2015: We’ve scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it’s all right here.
Cougar Cubs Arrive in Oregon
Three fuzzy, 10-day-old cougar cubs were found orphaned in Washington State last week. The state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife rescued the two females and one male, and they were transported to the Oregon Zoo, where they’re now in the care of keeper Michelle Schireman, who serves as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ species coordinator for cougars. The cubs weigh less than two pounds each and their cloudy blue eyes aren’t yet able to focus. But they’re bottle-feeding well and have a lot to say. "They’re loud," she said. "When you come to feed them in the middle of the night, you can hear them all the way out in the parking lot." The cubs will stay at the zoo, where they’re getting around-the-clock care, for a couple of weeks while their health stabilizes. Then they’ll move to a permanent home. — Read it from the Oregon Zoo
Zoo Hand-Rears Rare Tiger
We have another adorable kitten who’s being hand-raised to tell you about. Keepers at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park made the tough decision to step in and hand-rear an endangered Sumatran tiger cub who was born Sept. 14 to first-time parents Teddy and Joanne. He was in his mom’s care for the first few days, but his keepers noticed he was losing weight and thought he wasn’t getting enough attention. He was moved to the zoo’s animal care center, where he’s now getting 24-hour care. He’s the 26th Sumatran tiger cub to be born at the zoo, but the first in more than 30 years to be hand-reared. “We’re very happy with our little cub’s progress; he took to the bottle and started nursing right away,” said keeper Lissa McCaffree this week. “He’s been gaining weight very consistently each day, and last night he reached a milestone — he opened his eyes for the first time.” He’s getting stronger and learning to make tiger vocalizations, including meows, grunts and chuffing, a noise tigers make to express excitement. — Read it from the San Diego Zoo and see more cute baby animal photos
First Ladies Visit Panda House
The 1-month-old panda cub at the National Zoo hasn’t yet made his public debut, but he’ll have two special visitors Friday. First lady Michelle Obama plans to visit Mei Xiang’s new arrival with Peng Liyuan, the first lady of China. The trip to the Panda House will “commemorate over four decades of scientific collaboration between the United States and China around giant panda conservation,” the White House said. Peng and her husband, President Xi Jinping, are making their first state visit to Washington this week. — Read it at The Hill
Vets Treat Trial Therapy Dog
Last month, Chester was one of four dogs who helped comfort the survivors of the Aurora, Colorado, movie theater shooting during the assailant’s trial and sentencing. Now, it’s Chester who needs help. The 9-year-old Labrador Retriever is being treated at Colorado State University’s James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital for severe neck pain from a spinal infection. Veterinarians are hoping to avoid surgery with a full year of treatment with antibiotics. "Chester lives his life to serve people," said veterinary student Emily Kirkpatrick, in a press release. "It meant so much to us to help return him to his normal self." Chester plans to return to his work as a therapy dog once he’s feeling better. — Read it at the Denver Post
Fox Freed From Trash Bin in U.K.
A fox had a close call in England this month. She was found trapped in a large trash bin behind a church. The lid was closed, and it was so heavy she wouldn’t have the strength to lift it herself. Luckily, she was spotted by a passerby and the RSPCA was called. “We don’t know whether she accidentally fell into this big bin while looking for food and then someone shut the lid, either accidentally or deliberately, or whether she was placed there on purpose,” said the RSPCA’s Natasha Wallis. Wallis helped her out of the bin and she scampered off into the bushes, “back to the wild where she belongs,” Wallis said. — Read it from the RSPCA via Facebook
