Monrovia bear cubs growing well in SoCal wildlife care

A pair of cubs from Monrovia that were orphaned after their mother was euthanized following two separate attacks in the foothill community are steadily growing stronger in the care of a Southern California wildlife facility.

The young baby bear brothers were taken to the Ramona Wildlife Center in San Diego County after their mother, who was known as “Blondie” by residents in Monrovia, was euthanized last month.

The San Diego Humane Society, which runs the Ramona Wildlife Center, said experts are working to care for the cubs while trying to keep them wild by minimizing human contact. In order to help them avoid getting used to humans, wildlife specialists have been feeding the cubs while dressed in bear fur and masks. They also use bear sprays to hide their scents.

“The babies have made great progress — gaining weight, strength and coordination each,” the San Diego Humane Society said in a post online. “… The cubs are exploring their outdoor enclosure, which includes low-to-the-ground climbing options to help build their confidence.”

Wildlife officials removed a bear and her two cubs from a Monrovia neighborhood after a woman was attacked by a bear while walking her dog. Tracey Leong reports for NBC4 at 8:30 p.m. on March 15, 2026.

The young bears found themselves without a mother after “Blondie” attacked two people in two different attacks, according to the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW). She first clawed at an elderly man on his porch last summer and then in March, swiped at a woman who was walking her dog. CDFW deemed the adult bear a threat to the public and made the decision to humanely euthanize her.

It’s unclear when the bear cubs will be old enough to be released to the wild.