Mountain lion dropped off at Las Vegas Zoo

Sep 26, 2006 06:19 PM EDT

It was a surprising find at the front gates of the Las Vegas Zoo. Someone abandoned a sick mountain lion. He was dropped off a few days ago and now staff members are nursing him back to health.

The mountain lion was probably a house pet, but wore out his welcome when he started to get bigger. The zoo director says the one year old was dropped off in the middle of the night, found in a wire cage at the front entrance.

Staff members took him in. They say he'd clearly been starved and was severely malnourished. The 50 pound cub has also been de-clawed and neutered.

If he hadn't been dropped off, the zoo director says this lion probably would have been put down.

Staff members think they can nurse him back to health in the next few months and then the zoo is planning to make him the star of a new exhibit. To help take care of this mountain lion the zoo is asking for donations. If you would like to help out call 647-4685 or drop them off at 1775. N. Rancho.

http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=5461809&nav=15MV