Three orphaned bears were released back into the wild in Colorado.

In late June, a homeowner found a small cub, likely unattended, wandering on her property and alerted local Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers.

Recognising the cub's situation, the officer set a live trap, and it was subsequently taken to a rehabilitation facility in Del Norte, where staff worked to preserve its wild instincts and minimise human interaction.

The baby animal and two other rehabilitated bears were released into a secluded bear habitat in Jeffco on November 18, just in time for the cub to prepare for hibernation.

CPW officials thanked the officers, rehabbers, and concerned landowner for making the successful release possible.