A mountain lion rescued from Yucca Valley has been released back into the wild after months of treatment and care.
The female mountain lion was returned to the San Bernardino County landscape by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on Nov. 20 after approximately six months of treatment by the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center.
“(The cougar) was severely emaciated, anemic, and had sustained soft tissue trauma,” the San Diego Humane Society said, adding that when it was first rescued, it appeared to have been attacked by another animal. “She was probably too weak to fully fend off her attacker due to her low weight.”
The cat was initially given wound pain medication and antibiotics in an indoor enclosure.
However, veterinarians determined that her wounds were healing well, so the animal was moved to an outdoor habitat, monitored from a distance with trail cameras.
The San Diego Humane Society said the cougar, an apex predator, had to relearn how to survive and hunt on its own while avoiding contact with humans during its recovery period.
“We are extremely grateful to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the incredible Project Wildlife team for giving this mountain lion the opportunity to have a healthy future in its natural habitat,” the San Diego Humane Society said in a statement.
The mountain lion has been fitted with a satellite GPS collar, allowing authorities to track her health.
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