{"id":300201,"date":"2026-06-08T17:59:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T17:59:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/300201\/"},"modified":"2026-06-08T17:59:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T17:59:09","slug":"central-florida-zoo-welcomes-two-cougar-cubs-from-south-dakota","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/300201\/","title":{"rendered":"Central Florida Zoo welcomes two cougar cubs from South Dakota"},"content":{"rendered":"

A pair of cougar cubs are joining<\/a> the diverse lineup of animals at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens<\/a> in Sanford.<\/p>\n

The 10-week-old siblings, a male and a female, arrived at the zoo from South Dakota after they were found without their mother at only two or three weeks old. They were determined to be too young to be returned to the wild, so the zoo was contacted to provide them with care and a permanent home.<\/p>\n

They are already \u201ccapturing the hearts\u201d of the zoo\u2019s animal care team, according to a news release.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur animal care team is providing the specialized attention they need, and we\u2019re excited to watch them reach new milestones,\u201d said Richard Glover<\/a>, the zoo\u2019s CEO, in a news release. \u201cThey\u2019re curious, playful and growing quickly, and their story is a powerful reminder of the role accredited zoos play in animal care and education.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each cub currently weighs between 9-12 pounds and are growing at a rate of half a pound per day as they develop and explore their surroundings.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens recently welcomed two cougar cubs to its facility in Sanford. The pair were rescued from South Dakota where they were orphaned and found without their mother. (Courtesy of Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens)<\/p>\n

As part of normal animal care procedures, the cubs will remain in quarantine for at least 30 days. Zoo veterinarians and staff will closely monitor the cubs and observe their behaviors like making small climbs, scratching through substrate and calling to one another when startled. These natural behaviors are important indicators of healthy development.<\/p>\n

Native to North, Central and South America, cougars<\/a> are among the continent\u2019s largest wild cats and are known for their agility, strength and adaptability.<\/p>\n

Visitors can see the cubs and learn more about them later this year when they are ready for their public debut. The cougars have yet to be officially named.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the zoo continues to care for sloths<\/a> that were rescued from the abandoned Sloth World attraction and donated in April.<\/p>\n

Find me\u00a0@PConnPie on Instagram<\/a>\u00a0or send me an email:\u00a0pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com<\/a>. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at\u00a0orlandosentinel.com\/newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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