Scientists monitoring polar bears in northern Canada have documented an exceptionally rare event. And with climate change impacting the mammals' future, they've found it a reassuring sign.
In the Western Hudson Bay area around Churchill, a port town in the province of Manitoba, researchers have captured footage of a female polar bear taking in and raising a cub that is not her own.
The young mother, estimated to be about five years old, was spotted travelling with two cubs during the annual autumn migration along Western Hudson Bay – a region known for its polar bear population. One cub appeared to be around 10 to 11 months old, matching the age of the bear’s known offspring.
Polar bear researchers first encountered the mother in spring when she emerged from her maternity den with a single cub. That cub was tagged for tracking. Months later, observers were surprised to see her again – this time accompanied by two cubs. One carried the tag; the other did not.
In the wild, only about half of polar bear cubs survive to adulthood. Having a protective, experienced mother greatly improves those odds.
- We finally know why polar bears don't freeze in Arctic waters
- Stunning photos of polar bear families in Canada
- Think polar bears are all fierce? These 14 captivating photos reveal their softer side
According to Evan Richardson, a polar bear specialist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, the adoption could have meaningful implications. With polar bears facing mounting pressures from climate change, any increase in cub survival is significant.
"The bears need all the help they can get these days with climate change," he explained in a video statement. "If females have the opportunity to pick up another cub and care for it and successfully wean it, it's a good thing for bears in Churchill."
"Cub adoption has been documented in 60 different species," he said. "Polar bears are maternally primed to take care of their young and they really can't help themselves if there's a young cub bawling on the tundra, they will take them on.
"We know from our long-term studies that many of these cubs do survive. It's not just a chance encounter where the cub follows them round for a month or two – the mothers do take care of them."
Soon, the small family will venture onto the sea ice, where the cubs will learn essential survival skills – including how to hunt seals – by following their mother’s lead.
- 11 Arctic animals that not only survive, but also thrive, in this inhospitable freezing landscape
- 6 animals that battle to the death – whether it's for territory, dominance or survival
Top image: a polar bear with its cubs (not those described in the article). Credit: Getty
