Two orphaned mountain lion cubs return to California wild

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. (CBS, KYMA) - Two orphaned mountain lion cubs were released back into the wild on September 18 after five months of rehabilitation in San Diego County, California.

The footage and press release was provided to Storyful by the San Diego Humane Society. In the release, the humane society said the cubs were originally found alone and malnourished in March. They were safely trapped and transferred to San Diego Humane Society's Ramona Wildlife Center.

While in care, the pair were provided with "expert veterinary attention and a specialized rehabilitation protocol to build essential survival skills — including hunting behaviors and a natural wariness of people," according to the press release.

"We're incredibly proud of the work our team and partners have done to give these cubs a second chance," Autumn Welch, Wildlife Operations Manager at San Diego Humane Society, said. "Releasing them back into their native habitat is the ultimate goal...and a major success story for mountain lion conservation in California."

Footage shows the care team giving the cubs an examination, along with the moment the cubs were released into "suitable habitat" in San Diego County.