Orphaned Monrovia bear cubs on path back to wild after state euthanized their mom
Key takeaways
- When state wildlife officials euthanized “Blondie” the bear over the objections of local elected leaders in March, it was unclear if her two orphaned bear cubs would ever be able to live in the wild again.
- The tiny furry creatures weighed just 5.8 and 7.6 pounds.
- “Moving outside is a big step,” said Autumn Welch, wildlife operations manager at the Humane Society, in a statement Tuesday.
Blondie’s two cubs, photographed at 3 months, have made strides, according to Humane Society staff. (San Diego Humane Society) By Clara Harter Staff Writer Follow May 13, 2026 5 AM PT 4 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
When state wildlife officials euthanized “Blondie” the bear over the objections of local elected leaders in March, it was unclear if her two orphaned bear cubs would ever be able to live in the wild again.
The tiny furry creatures weighed just 5.8 and 7.6 pounds. They required spoon-feedings four times a day. And they could not be allowed to recognize humans, as this would hinder their development of survival skills.