Arctic Ursine Mother Takes In Cub in Infrequently Documented Instance

Scientists tracking wild polar bears in Canada's northern regions observed something exceedingly rare this autumn: a female bear taking in a cub that was not genetically her own.

The half-decade-old mother and her nearly year-old cubs were observed and filmed during the yearly polar bear migration along the Hudson Bay's western shore near Churchill, Manitoba, an area renowned for its concentration of Arctic bears.

"It's unusual," stated a researcher with a polar bear conservation group. "The reasons are unclear why it happens...but we know it is a rare event at all."

It's only the thirteenth documented instance of fostering out of 4,600 bears researched for almost fifty years in the area.

The female bear was initially tagged as she emerged from her maternity den this springtime. Initially, she had one cub, which scientists tagged for study.

In the fall, she was seen again, but this time with a pair of cubs - the original cub and another without a tag. Scientists aren't sure what became of the second cub's biological mother, but they are trying to locate her using DNA analysis.

"These animals need every advantage they can get these days with climate change," noted a polar bear scientist. "If females have the chance to pick up an additional youngster and care for it and successfully wean it, it's a positive development for the population."

Polar bears in the wild only have a 50% chance of living into adulthood, but having a mother providing care boosts their odds.

The cubs are reported as in good condition, researchers said, and they will likely remain with their adoptive mother until they are about two-and-a-half years old.

Next, the bear family is anticipated to venture out to the frozen ocean, where the youngsters will be taught from their mother bear how to catch prey and survive on their own.

"It's just nice to know that the bears are caring for each other," added the scientist.