Competition Of The Kitties: Baby Cougars Have Adorable “Scariest Growl” Competition

The Oakland Zoo operates a rehabilitation center for rescued cougars (mountain lions). The animals roam freely throughout the wilderness and some California residential areas. Cubs become orphaned for a variety of reasons. The Oakland Zoo cares for the cubs until they can go to furever homes. While in the zoo’s care, cubs receive necessary medical treatment, feeding, and weaning. Occasionally, the cubs may compete against one another in “grueling battles” such as this adorable growling contest.

Videos by InspireMore

Zoo personnel recorded the three timid cubs during their stays in the rehabilitation center. In the growling competition, we rated the cubs on their body language, growl depth, and intimidation level. Our results may vary from yours, and that’s fine.

First up is Rose. When she arrived at the facility, she was 20 pounds underweight. Caregivers surmised that she had been without her mother for a long time before her rescue. She made it through the first night and had a healthy recovery. Rose missed the formative training necessary to survive in the wild, so she will likely spend her life in captivity. She has a low-level sound in the growling contest, but her body language and fierce look score high. Rose was our runner-up choice.

Willow is next. This timid little feline couldn’t muster much for the competition, but she’s been through a lot already. She was rescued with her sister Maple after their mom was struck by a vehicle. The two cubs recently relocated to Zoo New England in Massachusetts. Although she didn’t manage more than a weak growl, Willow will eventually gain a formidable voice.

Holly went to the Oakland Zoo cougar rescue program after being found in a residential yard in Santa Cruz. While in the Oakland Zoo hospital, a keeper made an observation about Holly, saying, “Holly is a little shy but very spicy — she’s not afraid to use her voice and show us how big and scary she is. That intimidation factor is what gained her top ranking within our judging criteria. The little mountain lion was all business with her growl as she got up close and personal with the camera. Spicy, indeed! Holly and her best friend Hazel were relocated to Big Bear Alpine Zoo in southern California.

While we joke, play with these kitties, and tease about their fierce growls, mountain lions are an important part of the ecosystem. They regulate biodiversity by managing prey species and controlling the movement of other predator animals. As humans continue encroaching on habitats, mountain lions have less area to roam freely. These big cats will frequently avoid places where humans are present, but our presence still creates hardship for the species. Programs like the cougar rescue at Oakland Zoo are vital to their survival.

You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.