The rescued cubs were found in poor health in Romania and an animal charity is hoping they can eventually be returned to the wild in South Africa.

But the female cubs are too young to make such a long journey yet so will spend a few months on the island before travelling to their permanent home.

They arrived on Saturday at the GSPCA's quarantine facilities.

GSPCA president John Knight, Born Free's vet consultant, has been advising on the conversion of a heated house and a run into a sleeping room and playpen for the cubs.

"A huge log that took four people to lift has been put in the pen for scratching and clambering over, a buoy has been suspended on a chain from a metal chain and there is an old tyre to attack," said a spokesperson for the Born Free Foundation.

"We have provided lots of toys and diversions that will help build up their strength and co-ordination and hopefully dissipate their seemingly endless supplies of energy," he added.