BURBANK, Calif., Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Two malnourished mountain lion cubs were rescued from underneath a car in Burbank, Calif., officials said.
The two 5-pound cubs, which were determined to be about 10 weeks old, were rescued Tuesday morning after some local residents reportedly hit them with broomsticks in an attempt to drive them away, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The Times said some readers blasted the broomstick-wielding residents in online comments, calling them mean-spirited and telling them they deserved to get "a lump of coal for Christmas."
Burbank officials turned the cubs over to the California Wildlife Center in Calabasas. The newspaper said they were to be joined with another litter in the hopes that they can be nursed back to health.
Officials said they weren't sure what happened to the cubs' mother, but the two youngsters likely hadn't eaten in two weeks.
