Orphaned bear cubs thriving at center in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (KGO) -- Three orphaned bear cubs have a new lease on life in South Lake Tahoe. The cubs were rescued after their mother was hit and killed in Yosemite National Park.

Staffers and volunteers at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care monitor their progress and clean and prep their food. Watermelon and grapes are their current favorite.

Contact is kept to a minimum so the cubs don't become dependent on their human caregivers.

Right now they are like any other growing family.

"They're exactly like toddlers," said Tom Millham with Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care. "They'll sleep a lot, night and day, and they'll get up and they'll play. They'll eat and whenever you eat and you have a full belly, it's time to take a nap."

The bears will stay here through the New Year, even going into hibernation. They will grow from around eight pounds to more than 100.

After their long sleep they'll be tested to see if are ready to be released back into the wild.

Bears like these are only supported by donations. If you would like to help, click here.