health

Orphaned bear cubs taken to San Diego for care after mom is euthanized for attacking people

Updated on: March 25, 2026 / 9:53 AM EDT / CBS News

Orphaned bear cubs taken to San Diego for care after mom is euthanized for attacking people

TL;DR

  • Two orphaned bear cubs are under care at the San Diego Humane Society's Ramona Wildlife Center.
  • Their mother was euthanized after two separate incidents where she swiped at people in Monrovia, California.
  • DNA testing confirmed the mother bear's involvement in the attacks.
  • The cubs are two to three months old and require months of specialized care.
  • The goal is to rehabilitate the cubs to ensure they can be returned to the wild without associating with humans.
  • Staff are using methods like bear masks and scents to conceal their human identity while caring for the cubs.
  • Black bears are common in California, with an estimated population of 49,000 to 71,000.