The orphaned female cubs were emaciated when they were found last summer. They've spent the last half-year in rehabilitation at the Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care facility.

Marc Kenyon is the bear coordinator for the state Department of Fish and Game. He says the cubs were fed and housed in such a way as to keep them from getting comfortable with humans.

"In other words they don't become used to people or used to being around people. That way they remain to be wild bears as they should be."

Kenyon says the bears now weigh more than 70 pounds. They were placed in a man-made den this week...and took off soon after.

"We've been unable to find those bears since that time. That's a real good sign that those bears are out-and-about, moving around the habitat, setting up a new home."