Orphaned Bear Cubs Milestone at San Diego Humane

San Diego Humane Society said this week that two orphaned black bear cubs from Monrovia have been moved into an outdoor habitat at its Ramona Wildlife Center, the latest step in a rehabilitation effort that began after state wildlife officials euthanized their mother in March. The brothers arrived in Ramona on March 15, 2026, after the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said DNA testing linked the sow to two public-safety incidents in Monrovia within the previous year. (timesofsandiego.com) The cubs were estimated at two to three months old when they arrived and are now about 4 months old, according to San Diego Humane and local news reports. Staff members say the move outdoors is meant to build the animals’ independence while limiting contact with people. ### When did the cubs reach the latest milestone? May 12 was the day the cubs were moved into a specialized outdoor den area, according to NBC Los Angeles and Times of San Diego. San Diego Humane described the transfer as a major step in the brothers’ recovery after nearly two months of indoor care. The outdoor enclosure includes native plants and live-edge wood intended to mimic a natural setting, the reports said. Times of San Diego said the den area was funded by a grant from the Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation, and that the wood came from a Ramona sawmill. ### Why were the cubs brought to Ramona in the first place? (sdhumane.org) March 15 was the date the brothers arrived at the Ramona Wildlife Center after their mother was euthanized, San Diego Humane said in a March 24 release. The organization said the sow had been deemed a threat to public safety by law enforcement officials. (timesofsandiego.com) The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said DNA testing confirmed the bear was involved in two separate public-safety incidents in Monrovia within the last year. NBC Los Angeles reported that residents knew the sow as “Blondie” and that officials cited an incident involving an elderly man on his porch last summer and another involving a woman walking her dog in March. (timesofsandiego.com) ### How are handlers keeping the cubs from getting used to people? San Diego Humane said its Project Wildlife team has used minimal human interaction from the start of the cubs’ care. In its March release, the group said staff members wear bear masks, animal furs and scents to conceal their human identity during feeding and handling. (sdhumane.org) NBC Los Angeles and Times of San Diego reported that caretakers also crawl into the habitat to mimic the movements and behavior of a mother bear. Autumn Welch, wildlife operations manager at San Diego Humane Society, said in a statement that “moving outside is a big step” and that the cubs are “gaining confidence, exploring and learning the skills they’ll need to survive on their own.” (sdhumane.org) ### What changed in the cubs’ condition before the move outdoors? At about 4 months old, the cubs are showing more independence, according to San Diego Humane Society. Their diet has advanced from spoon-fed formula to gruel and solid food, including fruit and plants, and they are also eating on their own in addition to being fed three times a day, local reports said. (sdhumane.org) The habitat has been outfitted with mulberry and pine to encourage foraging behavior, Times of San Diego reported. San Diego Humane has said the broader goal is to give the brothers the best possible chance of returning to the wild. (timesofsandiego.com) ### What have wildlife officials said about the larger rehabilitation effort? Cort Klopping of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said in San Diego Humane’s March release that situations like this show the importance of prevention and “shared responsibility.” He urged residents to secure crawl spaces, remove food attractants such as unsecured trash or pet food, and eliminate access to sheltered areas around homes. (timesofsandiego.com) San Diego Humane said it cares for more than 10,000 wild animals each year and is seeking donations to support the bears’ long-term rehabilitation. The organization’s donation page says gifts for the Monrovia cubs will provide support for their care, with any excess going to other wild animals in need. (timesofsandiego.com) ### What happens next for the Monrovia brothers? Wildlife officials said the cubs will be moved into a larger habitat once they acclimate to the outdoor den area. San Diego Humane has said the rehabilitation plan is designed to keep the bears wild enough for eventual release, though no release date has been announced. (timesofsandiego.com) (sdhumane.org)