This is the heartwarming moment five rescued cubs were released back into the wild after rehabilitation.

Footage shows wildlife staff freeing the orphaned cubs from their cages near Pagosa Springs in Colorada, USA, on November 20.

The animals spent the summer at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife's (CPW) Frisco Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Del Norte, where they were socialised with 25 other cubs.

Caretakers said the bears were kept wild by minimising human contact and simulating their diet in their natural habitat. Once they had gained enough weight and were ready to den, they were released into carefully selected locations.

John Livingston, the Southwest Region public information officer for CPW, said: 'Our officers deeply care about our wildlife here in Colorado and trying to give those animals a second opportunity.'