Three lost bear cubs were rescued by villagers when they were found wandering alone near a road in south Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains, animal charity Four Paws said on Monday. /VCG Photo

The cubs, two male and one female, are about three months old and weigh between two to three kilograms each. /VCG Photo

Having been sent to a nearby sanctuary, the cubs are now safe and sound. But vets found that they were under a great amount of stress due to anxiety over separation from their mother, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reported. The bears at such a tender age were reportedly alone for nearly 24 hours and hadn't had any food or liquids during that time. /VCG Photo

Four Paws’ Dimitar Ivanov warned that “Our experience shows us that in 90 percent of the cases of bears found in the wild, the mother was chased or shot by poachers.” /VCG Photo

The cubs will be relocated to a rescue center in Greece once their conditions get better. Bulgaria hosts one of the most stable populations of the brown bear in Europe, with some 800 animals inhabiting in the mountains. /VCG Photo