Assist-rearing three six-week-old puma (Puma concolor) at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Citation

Gaffney M. 2025. Assist-rearing three six-week-old puma (Puma concolor) at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. In Treiber K, Brooks M, D’amato-Anderson J, Nylander J, Eds. Proceedings of the Sixteenth Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Oklahoma City, OK.

Abstract

Assist-rearing wildlife neonates in managed care is not uncommon when it aligns with animal health outcomes. San Diego Zoo Safari Park (SDZSP) has assist-reared a number of felid species (e.g., cheetahs, lions, tigers, caracals, etc.) during its 50-year history. On rare occasions neonates are removed from in situ scenarios and require assist-rearing or supplemental feedings tailored to their individual health and welfare needs. In October 2023, three (2.1) orphaned puma cubs were brought to SDZSP for supportive care at approximately six weeks old (based on dentition).

According to records for similar sized felid species and initial health assessments, a diet and time frame for weaning (approx. 16 weeks) was determined. Historic records and evaluations from similar cases, protocols used to document milk replacers, growth curves, expected behaviors, and health status, all contribute to the success of assist-rearing related species. Considering the age of the cubs and that they were mother-raised up to the transition into SDZSP’s care, they would not receive milk replacer from a bottle. The goal was to offer a variety of appropriate items (i.e., two commercial carnivore diets, chicken baby food and pinkies), and a milk replacer (Zoologic Milk Matrix 33/40, Pet Ag), to see what items they would show interest in to work towards formulating a more targeted diet. Care specialists recorded formula and solid food consumption, body weight, feeding response, urine and fecal production, stool consistency, and general behaviors.

All three animals gained weight at an acceptable rate, although for the SDZSP males and female, the average daily gain for each sex was lower than the average compared to male and female siblings assist-raised at the San Diego Zoo in 2007 and compared to average gains according to ZIMS weight data for puma in North America. Weights and average daily gains from approximately 6 to 16 weeks of age for each facility-specific cohort and ZIMS records are reported in Table 1. Wildlife Nutrition visually monitored body conditions for the 2.1 cubs throughout their quarantine period. All three animals were repeatedly visually scored a 4-5/9 (slightly underconditioned to ideal) until all three were scored by palpation at 4/9 (slightly underconditioned) during a medical examination for a health assessment at 4 weeks of age. Since these three animals were in a hands-off situation and regular weights were not feasible, the frequency of their diet changes were based on diet consumption and apparent body condition. By the time the cubs were relocated to their habitat, they had received six preemptive diet changes at approximately 1-week intervals when compared to animals assist-reared with changes between 2-to-3-week intervals.

All three sub-adult animals are doing well and are currently at or slightly above adult target weights for male and female puma, respectively. The diets they receive have been formulated to provide appropriate nutrition and encourage species-specific behavior to promote overall welfare and health. Contrary to the intended outcome of assist-rearing wildlife under human care to support species survival, these animals unfortunately are not able to be released back into their natural habitat. Instead, they are included as part of the SDZWA’s Southwest Conservation Hub, helping to inform and amaze guests regarding the important role predator species play in the function and health of the natural ecosystems they inhabit.

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