Sullivan Examined for Limping

The stories of rescued orphaned cougar cubs Sullivan and Sienna are a powerful reminder of the importance of rescue and collaboration in wildlife conservation. Thanks to the combined efforts of wildlife officials, veterinarians, and dedicated caretakers, these orphaned cubs have a second chance at life.

And for Sullivan, that second chance includes the best diagnostic care modern veterinary medicine can offer.

Sullivan, rescued in early March near Spokane, Washington, has been recovering well at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park after a rough start to life. But recently, animal care staff noticed he was limping.

“Our initial diagnostic exam at Northwest Trek’s veterinary hospital was unable to determine the cause for Sullivan’s limp,” explained Dr. Kadie Anderson, Head Veterinarian at Northwest Trek. “When it persisted, we decided to pursue more specialized imaging.”

Dr. Kadie brought Sullivan to Summit Veterinary Referral Center in Tacoma for an MRI, where specialists from both Summit and Northwest Trek collaborated to carry out the procedure. A neurologist at Summit also assessed Sullivan and ran a specialized nerve conduction test used to evaluate how well the nerves are sending signals to his affected leg.

The MRI and exam revealed an injury to Sullivan’s foot, and he’ll need extra care going forward, including physical therapy to help improve the use of his leg.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have the support of our talented veterinary colleagues at Summit,” said Dr. Anderson. “Collaborations like this are essential to providing the highest level of care for wildlife. We’re fully committed to helping Sullivan heal, and that means making the most of every resource at our disposal.”

Sullivan’s Story

Sullivan’s journey began in early March, when he was found alone by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) near Spokane. The tiny cub was in critical condition—malnourished, dehydrated, and severely anemic. WDFW transported him to Northwest Trek’s animal care clinic, where he received immediate and intensive treatment.

Under the careful care of the veterinary and animal care teams, Sullivan began to recover. He was given IV fluids, vitamins, antibiotics, and a nourishing diet of chicken and elk. Slowly but surely, the cub gained strength and began showing the curious, feisty personality typical of a young cougar.

Sienna’s Story

In mid-April, another cub joined Sullivan’s world. Sienna, a female cougar cub rescued by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), was found alone after spending several days up in a tree near Española, New Mexico. She, too, was dehydrated and underweight, though otherwise healthy.

Initially treated at the ABQ BioPark Zoo, Sienna was later transferred to Northwest Trek to continue her care and to provide companionship for Sullivan. The two cubs have since been introduced and are bonding well, offering each other comfort and enrichment as they grow.

When Can Guests See Them?

While Sullivan continues to heal and both cubs settle into their new environment, they’ll remain behind the scenes, receiving ongoing care and attention. Soon, guests will be able to see them on the wildlife park’s Cat Loop, near the bobcat and lynx habitats.