The release of five Asiatic black bears into the wild has been hailed a success by environmental experts in India.

Although the animals were returned to their natural habitat a number of months ago, some continued to be rehabilitated as they slowly grew accustomed to the wild.

But now the team at the Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation has said they are satisfied with the bears' release after being hand-reared by staff at the centre.

NVK Ashraf, director of the Wild Rescue Programme of the Wildlife Trust of India, said: "The five bears are not all of the same age and obviously not all became independent at the same time.

"Their release date was finalised only after we were satisfied that each one of them was capable of surviving on their own."

The bears are now enjoying exploring their new home at the Pakke Tiger Reserve in the north-east Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

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