California zoo aids mountain lion cub hurt in wildfire

An orphaned mountain lion cub who was badly burned in a Northern California wildfire is being treated at the Oakland Zoo after being rescued.

The male cub, believed to be four to six weeks old, had his whiskers singed off and his paws severely burned.

A state firefighter battling the Zogg Fire in Redding rescued him last week.

As a result, he was named Captain Cal, after the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's mascot.

The cougar, who now weighs about five pounds, was taken to the zoo's veterinary hospital, where he was cleaned and given antibiotics, pain medications and fed a milk formula for kittens through a syringe.

X-rays determined he didn't have any lung damage from smoke or bone damage to his paws.

A vet said he is currently eating on his own and acting feisty, both promising signs for his recovery.

Mountain lions usually stay with their mothers until they are about 2 years old in order to learn survival skills.

But this the animal was orphaned and now can't learn those skills so he'll be placed in a zoo once he's ready to leave the veterinary hospital.

"We're cautiously optimistic that this cub will now survive and thrive," said Dr. Alex Herman, director of veterinary services at the zoo.

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