California Mountain Lion Cub Found New Home
Crimson, an orphaned mountain lion cub treated in California, will move to an Arkansas wildlife sanctuary.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Wildlife
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Wildlife officials have named Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge as the permanent home for Crimson, a mountain lion cub found abandoned in Southern California earlier this year. Due to his age and a permanent injury, biologists determined the cub could not be safely released back into the wild.
Why it matters
The cub requires specialized lifelong care after his mother stopped nursing him at just 3 weeks old, leaving him unable to survive independently. Moving the cub to a managed refuge ensures his ongoing welfare following medical interventions in California.
Crimson was only 3 weeks old when found abandoned, and he now moves to a 460-acre refuge in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, following his leg amputation.
The players
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
The state agency responsible for the management of wildlife and natural habitats in California.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
A sanctuary located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, providing permanent care for rescued big cats.
Oakland Zoo
A California-based facility that provides veterinary medical services for injured wildlife.
Los Angeles Zoo
An organization that provided initial treatment and veterinary care for the orphaned cub.
The details
After being discovered abandoned by biologists tracking GPS collar data and camera monitoring, Crimson received initial stabilization at the Los Angeles Zoo. Veterinarians at the Oakland Zoo later performed a necessary leg amputation to address his injuries. The cub will transition to the 460-acre Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in the coming weeks for permanent sanctuary care.
Timeline
Earlier this year: Crimson was found abandoned.
In the coming weeks: Crimson will travel to his new sanctuary.
The Home Front
The relocation follows the established California Department of Fish and Wildlife mountain lion monitoring protocols for managing orphaned animals. These protocols determine when human intervention is necessary to rescue individual animals that cannot survive in the wild.
If you live in an area with mountain lions, biologists recommend securing household trash and pets to discourage wildlife from entering your property. Always report injured or orphaned animals to local authorities rather than attempting to approach or handle them yourself.
The takeaway
Wildlife officials prioritize permanent sanctuary placement when young animals are orphaned and medically unable to sustain themselves. Residents should continue to use wildlife-safe practices to keep natural ecosystems balanced and avoid attracting predators to residential areas.
Further reading
Learn more about local animal conservation efforts on the Wildlife page.
Live Poll
Do you support the use of wildlife sanctuaries for animals that cannot be released into nature?
