Orphaned bear cubs released in western Colorado

A Colorado wild animal rehabilitation organization released photos after two bear cubs were released to their original habitat last week. After their mother was struck and killed in a car crash near Paonia, the cubs spent the summer and fall at the Frisco Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center bulking up and socializing with other cubs.

Authorities said the bear cubs reached 80 pounds and were ready to den. Animal experts took them back to their original home last week to find a den for the winter. The cubs have enough fat to get through the winter, said the FCWRC, and will have a headstart when they come out of hibernation next spring.

The hope is that the cubs will reproduce with other members of the bear population and avoid conflict.