NEWBERRY, MI -- Did you know there's a bear rescue ranch located right in the heart of Luce County?

It's been open for 25 years, and recently, Oswald’s Bear Ranch saved three baby cubs from possibly being euthanized.

To think that one day, cute and cuddly cubs who can't even stand on their four feet will be 400 pounds is hard to believe.  But one day, cubs Patty, Tammy, and Sammy will be big female bears thanks to Dean Oswald, his wife Jewel, and their bear rescue ranch.

"I hunted bears, and I enjoyed that, and then I got to thinking I'd like to have a bear, instead of having dogs, I had bears," said Dean Oswald, owner of Oswald’s Bear Ranch.

The three cubs are seven weeks old.  Not too long ago, Dean was contacted and asked if he could give them shelter.  He took them in, without hesitation.

“If I can't get them placed, I say don't euthanize them, I'll take them," said Dean.

Oswald's Bear Ranch has been rescuing bears for 25 years.  It's illegal to buy or breed black bears in Michigan, but because the 80-acre ranch is a rescue, the Oswald’s can have the bears.  In fact, it’s the only bear rescue in Michigan.  Right now, on top of the three cubs, 24 bears are within the fences, just about to wake up from hibernation.

“They associate me as their mother, their father, feeder, disciplinarian, whatever it may be, they know me," said Oswald.

Don't believe it?  These are the cubs from last year.  Now bears, they weigh 80 pounds, and they treat Oswald like their mother.

Oswald’s Bear Ranch is open to the public starting Memorial Day.  It stays open over the summer through the end of September.  You can check out the bears within the fences, and can hold the little cubs that you saw in this story.

Visit Oswald's Bear Ranch website by CLICKING HERE.