WAYNESBORO, Va. (WRIC) -- Two rehabilitated black bears were released in Page County earlier this week after being rescued and rehabilitated by the Wildlife Center of Virginia in spring 2025. According to an April 10 release from the center, both bears were safely trapped and admitted to the wildli fe center in spring last year, where both grew up together under the supervision of the center’s veterinarians and rehabilitators, developing the skills needed to survive in the wild. Black Bear #26-1199 (Photo: Wildlife Center of Virginia)Black Bear #25-2408 (Photo: Wildlife Center of Virginia) "Everything we've done for these cubs the past year was to help them build resilience and prepare them for this very moment, and we couldn't be happier to see them back where they belong,” said Alex Olvera, the center's rehabilitation supervisor, in a release. “We hope their year with us is the start of a long and healthy life in the wild. The center said it safely trapped both cubs and gave them both a final pre-release exam on Wednesday, April 8. This included weight measurements, a complete physical and new ear tags that identify them as having attended rehab. The results included: Black Bear #25-2408 weighed in at 69 pounds, compared to 10 pounds on admission. Black Bear #26-1199 was the heavier of the two at 87 pounds, compared to just three pounds on admission. (Photo: Wildlife Center of Virginia)(Photo: Wildlife Center of Virginia) Both bears were also fitted with GPS tracking collars, allowing biologists to monitor their movements after release, according to the center. Officials said the bears were released at a remote stretch of a Page County forest, about an hour away from the center. Black Bear #26-1199 was the first to emerge from the transport container and ran to a nearby tree, where she paused briefly to assess her surroundings before moving further into the forest. A few minutes later, Black Bear #25-2408 followed, bounding off to the right and quickly disappearing from sight. The center said it's the only wildlife hospital in Virginia authorized to provide long-term care for black bears and has extensive experience in bear rehabilitation, caring for more than 125 black bears since the construction of its Black Bear Complex in 2013. To donate and support the center's work, click here. ...read more read less