Near Harlowton on Thursday, a new beginning for two black bear cubs who got separated from their mother last fall when some overly-enthusiastic photographers spooked the mother bear away.
After spending the winter at the Montana Wild facility in Helena, the cubs were released back into the wild this week.
As state game wardens and wildlife biologists lifted the door on their portable cage, the two bears regained their 
freedom. The yearlings were last seen climbing into a big pine tree in their native habitat.
Last September, the mother bear and the two cubs were near Highway 191 when several people stopped to take their picture.
At some point, people chased after the fleeing bears and got between the mother and the cubs, with the cubs heading east across the highway while the mother ran west to avoid the people.
Later the sow and cubs were seen in different parts of Harlowton, but enough people interfered with the animals to keep them from reconnecting.
Eventually the mother left and FWP was not able to find her.
FWP tranquilized the two cubs and sent them to the Wildlife Center in Helena.
With the fall bear hunting season open, FWP game wardens were reluctant to release the tranquilized cubs into the wild at that point.
FWP game warden Nick Taylor reminds people to keep their distance from all wildlife, not only for their own safety but also for the good of the animals.
(SEPTEMBER 6, 2017) Two black bear cubs are headed to Helena after being captured near Harlowton.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 5 Warden Nick Taylor said the two cubs were seen late Saturday morning walking on U.S. Highway 191 north of Harlowton with their mother.
Taylor said the cubs got separated after someone chased the bears into the prairie; the sow went west and the cubs headed east. That’s when Taylor said the two cubs were seen walking through Harlowton.
The Wheatland County Sheriff’s Office posted the following message on Facebook on Sunday:
Attention Residents of Harlowton:
The Sheriff’s Office is aware of the two bear cubs roaming around town, Fish and Wildlife Parks has been Contacted and are working to move the bears to a safer location.In the meantime, Please DO NOT approach the bears, DO NOT Feed them, and DO NOT try to scare them off.
Please keep a close eye on your pets and children to make sure they do not approach the bears. Also PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL TRASH IS SECURED IN A CONTAINER INACCESSIBLE TO BEARS until we know they are out of town. We do not want them to become accustomed to the neighborhood buffet!! 
Please report sightings and any mischief these guys get into to the sheriff’s office line at 406-632-5614.
Thank you for assistance in making sure the bears and all our locals stay safe as we relocate the critters to a more appropriate habitat!!
Taylor said FWP decided to capture the cubs Monday; one was captured late Monday morning and the other that afternoon.
The cubs are between 30 and 35 pounds, according to Taylor. One is a female and Taylor does not know the gender of the second cub.
The young cubs will be taken to the Montana Wild Rehabilitation Center in Helena. When the bears are older and can survive on their own they will be released back into the wild.
FWP released the following statement: We would like to thank everyone for giving us and the bears space yesterday while we worked. The bears were captured without injury. These delicate urban wildlife situations can be stressful for humans and the wildlife involved. With the dry conditions in the area bears are roaming looking for food and water this time of year.
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