Kittens Willow and Maple have been rescued – but California’s mountain lions are at risk

Zoo says it is caring for the 25th and 26th kittens to end up rescued there, and calls for more wildlife crossings

The two sisters are tiny - only five and a half pounds, and about two months old. They have giant eyes and mottled patches on their fur. Found in a backyard five days after their mother was hit on Highway 280 in northern California, the mountain lions headed to a new home at the Oakland zoo last week.

The sisters, now named Willow and Maple, were hungry and tired after not eating for five days. The cubs were visibly dehydrated, and underweight, and were checked for parasites and viruses by veterinarians, zoo officials said.