The Akron Zoo is introducing a new species, mountain lions, for the first time. The two female cubs are estimated to be five months old. After being orphaned, the cubs were rescued by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in the Olympic Peninsula in Washington.
The sisters’ names are Ozette and Neah (nee-ah). Neah comes from Neah Bay on the Olympic Peninsula. Ozette is named after Lake Ozette on the peninsula, which is also the location of an archaeological site for a historic Makah Tribe village.
The cubs are currently acclimating to their new home behind the scenes and will make their public debut in the coming months. The mountain lions will reside in the zoo’s former jaguar habitat.
Mountain lions are also known as pumas and cougars. They are native throughout North and South America, from southern Alaska to Chile and Florida. They are classified as “least concern” by the IUCN Red List, although their population numbers are declining due to human conflict. Female mountain lions can weigh 75 to 105 pounds.
“We are very excited to welcome Ozette and Neah to our Akron Zoo family,” said Doug Piekarz, president & CEO at the Akron Zoo. “This species will be a first for the Akron Zoo. I am grateful that we are able to be a sanctuary and provide these sisters with a forever home – they will be wonderful ambassadors for their native counterparts.”