Phoenix-area zoo welcomes birth of two mountain lion cubs

PHOENIX — Good news if you’re an animal lover: You can come visit two newborn mountain lion cubs that went on display at a zoo at a Phoenix-area.

The Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park announced Friday the birth of the cubs through a Facebook post. They said that the cubs will be available inside the Wildlife World’s Baby Animal Nursery.

“Given the declining population and elusive nature of these large predators, visiting the mountain lion cubs at Wildlife World is a great way for guests and school children to learn the importance of maintaining a healthy ecosystem and to learn about the wildlife that can be found in our own backyards!” the post read. 

The zoo’s veterinarian team has worked with dozens of diverse species in the past, including rare and endangered felines like ocelots, jaguars and tigers. Now, they will get the chance to raise mountain lion cubs.

The cubs require around-the-clock care and are still being bottle fed. Over the next few weeks, meat will be worked into their diet.

The Wildlife World Zoo is located on Northern Avenue and Sarival Road.

While the population is currently decreasing, mountain lion numbers are still sustainable and the species is considered to be of low concern on the International Union on Conservation of Nature’s conservation status.

The IUCN said that while the numbers are falling, they are still one of the most widely-distributed mammals in the western hemisphere. You can find thousands in the western United States and much more in Central and South America.

The union lists habitat loss and fragmentation as two of the biggest threats the species faces which have contributed to the decrease of the population.