It was an unusual scene. A lion cub alone for days in southern California's sprawling Santa Monica mountains, emitting a noise that sounded like a cross between a purr and a light squeal, perhaps calling out for his mother.

Where was his mother?

The National Park Service's biologists, who monitor the recreation area's small mountain lion population, visited the cub's location on several occasions.

They surmised that his mother had likely moved to another den, abandoning the cub in the process.

The lion kitten's health was taking a turn for the worse. He appeared weaker and was losing weight.

. . .