Two Asiatic black bear cubs which were abandoned by their mother have been returned to the wild in India.

The pair were rescued by conservationists and underwent rehabilitation before being released back into the wilderness of Arunachal Pradesh this week.

Environmental group Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), which ran the project, said that organisations must be encouraged to put cubs which are orphaned or abandoned back into the wild - rather than place them in zoos.

It is hoped that this most recent release will help to boost bear conservation across India where the species is endangered.

Scientists at the WTI believe there to be around 7,000 Asiatic black bears left in the country and because of this, the government has granted them the highest level of protection possible.

"The change in land-use pattern, especially for cultivation of crops that usually has high nutritional value, lure these animals to fruit orchards and maize fields," S. Sathyakumar who works with the WTI, said. "As a result, conflicts are on the rise that threaten the existence of bears."

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