In a heartwarming moment captured by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), five orphaned bear cubs were released back into the wild after spending the summer at a rehabilitation center in Frisco Creek.
The cubs, too young to survive on their own, were rescued in different circumstances. Three were found after their mother was euthanized for entering a home, while the other two were discovered in separate incidents. Black bears, more prone than brown or grizzly bears to associate humans with food, can pose a danger to public safety when this happens, prompting their rescue.
After being brought to the rehab center, the cubs were carefully raised and socialized, with strict protocols in place to ensure they retained their wild instincts. For example, no human contact was allowed near their pens, and staff never fed the cubs directly to prevent any reliance on humans for food.
On November 20th, the cubs were released back into their natural habitat in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. This marked the first of several releases, as the CPW had rehabilitated 25 cubs at Frisco Creek that year. Three were released earlier in the week, and eight more are expected to be released soon. Some cubs are still in care, awaiting to reach a healthy weight of 80 pounds before they are released, ensuring they have the best chance of surviving the harsh winter months.
A CPW spokesperson expressed gratitude for the dedicated care provided by Sirochman and his family at Frisco Creek, adding, “Every year is different, but the joy is always the same when they return to the wild.” The ongoing rehabilitation effort plays a crucial role in giving these young cubs the best start at life and the chance to thrive in the wild.