CHENGDU, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Three black bears have been seen in a low attitude area in a nature reserve in southwest China's Sichuan Province, local authorities said Wednesday.

It is the first time that wild black bears have been found at low attitude in the province since the earthquake a decade ago, according to the publicity department of Shifang City, where more than 80,000 people were killed in the Wenchuan earthquake.

Wild bears usually live in forest 2,000 meters above the sea level, but the three bears, including an adult and two cubs, were seen below 1,300 meters.

They were found in a forest in Shifang on July 17 by forest ranger Zhou Xinghua. Zhou recorded them with his mobile before they vanished into the woods.

"The environment has improved since forest patrols were strengthened. Poaching and illegal logging have decreased, providing a wider habitat for wild black bears," said Zeng Xiangbo, from the nature reserve.

The area has seen monkeys, deer and pandas return as the environment has been restored.