Mountain lion returns to wild after being hit by car

RAMONA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A mountain lion that was hit by a car last year the night before Thanksgiving Day is back in the wild.

On Nov. 23, the five-month-old cub was found on the side of a road in Simi Valley in Ventura County, the San Diego Humane Society said in a news release Monday.

The mountain lion suffered a fractured hind leg, dehydration and malnourishment. He underwent surgery that required using a metal plate and 10 screws to realign the bones. A second surgery revised the placement of the screws, the animal shelter said.

“This patient was a very special case, because his surgeries involved a unique collaboration between Project Wildlife veterinarians and shelter veterinarians,” said Jon Enyart, DVM, Senior Director of Project Wildlife at San Diego Humane Society. “Being a teaching institution, we seize opportunities to share our skills across our wildlife and companion animal sides, ensuring every patient gets the highest quality medical care.”

For seven months, the mountain lion rehabbed at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center, where they care for native apex predators, birds of prey and in special cases, mountain lions.

On Wednesday, June 26, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife released the mountain lion into the wild with a satellite GPS collar to track his future health and wellbeing.

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