PHOTOS: Pair of orphaned mountain lion cubs return to wild

RAMONA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Two orphaned mountain lion cubs, who were housed at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center since March, have been returned to the wild.

The cubs were released Thursday, Sept. 18, into a suitable habitat located in San Diego County.

The orphans arrived at the Wildlife Center after they were found alone and malnourished. The pair was then safely trapped by the UC Davis California Carnivores Program in coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Before being released into the wild, the two cute carnivores underwent more than five months of rehabilitation designed to limit human interaction and prepare them for life on their own, according to the Humane Society.

While in the care of staff, the cubs were taught essential survival skills, including hunting behaviors and developing a natural wariness of humans.

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

According to the press release, the San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife program’s mission is to rehabilitate and return wild animals to their natural habitats when possible, while promoting coexistence through education.