Orphan cougar kittens to be donated to Memphis Zoo

09:02 AM PDT on Thursday, October 14, 2004

By JIM FORMAN / KING 5 News and Wire Reports

DUVALL, Wash. - Cute, cuddly and wild - but three orphaned cougar kittens found near Duvall, Wash., won't be set free in the wild. They'll be crated up and shipped to their new home, the Memphis Zoo.

The cougars were found in late August after their mother was killed after attacking livestock. The orphans turned up in Sheila MacDonald's backyard, 25 northeast of Seattle. The kittens were believed to be five weeks old at the time.

“Little tiny precious babies – big blue eyes,” said MacDonald. “Anybody would have wanted to take them home and keep them forever.”

KING

The orphan cougar kittens turned up in Sheila MacDonald's backyard near Duvall, Wash., about 25 northeast of Seattle. The kittens were believed to be five weeks old at the time.

The kittens did not have the survival skills to return to the wild. Other rehabilitation and release options were explored, but nothing suitable was found, Fish and Wildlife officials said.

So the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has been caring for the little cats at its wildlife center in suburban Lynnwood. So far, the kittens have grown to a health 15 pounds each.

The Memphis Zoo is expanding their cat country exhibit, which fit the criteria of Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife were looking for. PAWS spokespeople said the three cougars will share one 1,500 square foot display.

But even as the cougars prepare to jet to Memphis, their caretakers at paws believe they would be better off dead than alive in captivity.

It’s kind of a bittersweet ending for the staff at PAWS, because PAWS believes that wild animals should be left in the wild,” said Lynn Fitch, PAWS spokeswoman.

After arriving in Memphis, the kittens will be quarantined for 30 days before moving into the zoo’s Cat Country exhibit, zoo officials said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.