The Birmingham Zoo is the new home of an orphaned cougar from Montana that arrived in the South by FedEx.

The Birmingham Zoo worked with FedEx to safely transport the female cougar kitten via plane from Great Falls, Montana to Memphis, Tennessee, where staff from Birmingham picked her up on Feb. 11.

A veterinarian working with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks accompanied the cub on the FedEx flight from Great Falls to Memphis. FedEx donated the transportation costs.

The kitten appears to be around four to five months old and weighs between 30 and 40 pounds. Cougars are also known as mountain lions, pumas, catamounts, and panthers.

Construction of the new Cougar Crossing habitat at the Birmingham Zoo was completed in January and now has its first resident prior to a mid-March opening.

“Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing has been in the planning stages for several years and the arrival of this first cub is a major step towards us opening in mid-March,” said Chris Pfefferkorn, president and CEO of the Birmingham Zoo. “As the Birmingham Zoo celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2025, the new Cougar Crossing is a significant milestone in the Zoo’s overall history. We would like to thank Larry and Phyllis Wojciechowski for their generosity to help make this exhibit a reality. This has truly become a community initiative with hundreds of people, companies, and other organizations joining together to help us be successful.”

Cougar Crossing is expected to open on March 19, 2025 in time for Spring Break.

“I would like to thank FedEx for facilitating and donating the transport of this female cougar cub,” said Pfefferkorn. “The transformation of this cougar’s life from being orphaned in Montana to now living in a new exceptional habitat is remarkable. Thank you to all the people who have played a role in this project,” he said. “As a result of this generosity, zoo visitors for generations to come will enjoy and learn about the cougars and bobcats in the Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing.”

It’s not unusual for zoo animals to be delivered by FedEx planes.

“FedEx has a long history of working closely with zoos and aquariums to provide safe travel for animals using our extensive global transportation network and logistical expertise,” said Heather Harshbarger, communications advisor, FedEx Cares. “Our skilled team of logistics experts, pilots, and drivers, as well as a fleet of trucks and airplanes, enable FedEx to deliver precious cargo like this orphaned mountain lion. FedEx is committed to connecting the world in responsible and resourceful ways through in-kind shipping donations, charitable contributions and through volunteering with local organizations and we are proud to donate the cost of this mountain lion cub delivery.”

Em McNeilly, the Montana veterinarian who accompanied the cougar on the airplane, said the cougar has spunk.

“She is very feisty and very smart,” McNeilly said. “I think she is going to be very trainable in the right environment. I hope she is comfortable in her new home and can live out a happy life.”

A landowner near Billings, Montana found cougar kittens on his property. The next day he found this female kitten stuck in his fence but had no sign of the other cubs or adults. He removed the cub from the fence and contacted Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on December 14, 2024. The cub was emaciated but sassy. She appeared to be in good health overall despite her situation.

The cougar kitten is now at a healthy weight. The Birmingham Zoo staff is continuing to work with the new cub to help her acclimate to her new home. Her curiosity grows each day. She enjoys her hammock and high climbing on structures. The animal rescue staff in Montana started some training to help in her care. This training will continue and expand in her new Birmingham home.

The veterinarians and animal staff at the Birmingham Zoo plan to do a full exam in the coming weeks and will continue to assess the cub and address any health concerns.

The public will be involved in helping determine a name for her in the near future. Since she was part of a group of kittens from birth, the Birmingham Zoo is diligently working to find another orphan cub around her age to join her in the new Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing habitat.

Cougars typically live from 8 to 13 years in the wild and they can live as long as 20 years in captivity.