By Ben Barry via SWNS
Footage shows the heartwarming moment five orphaned bear cubs were released back into the wild.
The back bear cubs – who are believed to have lost their mothers – were released into woodland near Pagosa Springs, Colo., on Nov. 20.
The cubs spend the summer at a Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department‘s rehabilitation center after being found in separate incidents.
According to local reports, three of the bears were rescued after their mother was euthanized because she entered a home.
The other two cubs were found in separate incidents where it was determined that they were two young to be alone.
After being rescued, all the cubs were taken to Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department’s rehabilitation center to grow and socialize before being released back into the wild.
While the bears are in rehabilitation, there is no talking allowed near the pens where they are kept and the bears never see a person feeding them – to enable them to adjust to the wild.
Speaking about the release, a spokesperson the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department, said: “Of the 25 cubs rehabbed at Frisco Creek this year, eight have now been released following three earlier this week by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department in Jefferson County.
“Eight more will go out next week, including some to Gunnison.
“Some aren’t fat enough yet to go out for hard release.
“The cubs that remain at Frisco Creek will continue to eat before going into artificial den boxes to be released later in January or February.
“We like to get cubs over 80 pounds for release to give them an extra head start on getting through winter and the early spring months.
“A huge thank you to Sirochman and his family at Frisco Creek for the excellent care of these cubs.
“Every year is different. We’ve had as few as four and as many as 40 cubs at the facility in one summer. The joy is felt by all when they return to the wild.”
