A 5-month-old orphaned cougar cub rescued by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in the Spokane area has found a new home at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville, Washington. The cub, discovered malnourished and dehydrated, is now receiving dedicated care from the expert veterinary and animal care teams at Northwest Trek. Though he is still recovering, the cub is making definite progress.

“When the cub arrived, he was in critical condition—extremely underweight, dehydrated, and anemic,” said Dr. Kadie Anderson, head veterinarian at Northwest Trek. “He also had ticks and had been recently sprayed by a skunk. It took us 30 hours of administering fluids via an IV catheter to begin rehydrating him.”

The cub is also receiving vitamins, antibiotics, probiotics, flea and tick treatment, and dewormer. Within 48 hours of arriving at Northwest Trek, the cub showed improvement. He is eating voluntarily, though still wary and tired as he acclimates to his new surroundings.

“We’re gradually building trust with him,” explained Becca McCloskey, curator at Northwest Trek. “Our team is feeding him chicken and elk multiple times a day.”

While it’s tempting to feed this cub as much as he wants, the team must carefully manage the amount he receives to avoid more serious complications. While the cub still has a long road to recovery, Dr. Anderson and McCloskey are hopeful for his future.

Spokane residents first noticed the cub in early March. After setting up game cameras, WDFW staff confirmed that he appeared orphaned. They set up a trap and, after several days, caught the cub and arranged for him to be transported to Western Washington.

“If this cub continues to improve, the care he’s receiving at Northwest Trek is a true success story—defying the odds and giving him a second chance at life,” said WDFW bear and cougar specialist Rich Beausoleil.

As the cub recovers, he will remain behind the scenes at Northwest Trek’s animal care clinic. In the future, guests can see him along the wildlife park’s cat loop, near the bobcat and lynx habitats.

What to Do if You Spot Orphaned Wildlife

WDFW recommends always speaking with a permitted wildlife rehabilitator before attempting to rescue any wildlife. Many wildlife species may leave their young unattended, even for long periods, while the adult searches for food or keeps their presence from attracting unwanted attention to their offspring. Wildlife has a much better chance of success when adults can raise them. However, permitted wildlife rehabilitators can assist if a wild animal genuinely needs human help. They are experts who can assess whether wildlife needs professional rehabilitation and what the best path forward is for the animal’s well-being. To find a permitted wildlife rehabilitator near you, visit the WDFW website.

About Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is located in Eatonville, Washington. It is home to more than 100 animals native to the Northwest and is dedicated to conservation, education, and high-quality care for its animals. With 725 acres of protected habitat, Northwest Trek offers visitors a chance to experience wild animals in a natural, immersive setting.