Rescued From Wildfires, Mountain Lion Cubs Arrive At Columbus Zoo

COLUMBUS, OH — A trio of mountain lion cubs that were rescued from the wildfires that ravaged much of California earlier this year now have a new home at the Columbus Zoo.

The cubs were transported overnight from Oakland, California, earlier this week via a FedEx airplane. FedEx provided the transportation for the cubs and their human helpers for free, said the Oakland Zoo, where the cubs recovered after the fires.

"We are extremely grateful to FedEx for providing complimentary transport for these 3 rescued mountain lion cubs (and their caregiving humans)," the zoo said in a Facebook post.

The Columbus Zoo also thanked FedEx, and the Oakland Zoo, "for the safe transport of this precious cargo." The zoo has not shared information on when, or if, the cubs will be available for viewing.

One of the cubs — the only male of the group — is named Captain Cal, according to a report from WLWT Cincinnati. Firefighters in California gave him the name after finding him limping down a burning road on Sept. 30. He was limping and severely burned, according to the report, but made a full recovery at the Oakland Zoo.

The other cubs, two sisters unrelated to Captain Cal, have not been named. The Columbus Zoo will announce the cubs’ names in the coming weeks, according to a news release from the zoo.

“Even with the cubs’ tragic beginning, their story is actually one of survival and hope," Columbus Zoo and Aquarium President/CEO Tom Stalf said. "We are proud to work with our friends at Oakland Zoo, whose expertise has given these cubs another chance. We remain committed to the cubs’ care, and we will continue to share their important story with others as we work together to protect the future of wildlife and wild places.”