Rare Polar Bear Mother Adopts Cub in Canada During Harsh Arctic Season

In northern Canada, researchers captured a rare display of care when a five-year-old polar bear mother welcomed a second cub into her family. The moment was documented during the annual movement of bears along Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba, a town renowned for its large polar bear population.

What happened

Early in spring, the mother emerged from a maternity den with one cub that scientists tagged for study. By autumn, she appeared with two cubs: the original tagged cub and another untagged youngster. Biologists are using genetic samples to identify the biological mother of the untagged cub.

Why this matters

This kind of adoption is exceptionally rare among wild polar bears. It marks the 13th documented case out of about 4,600 monitored bears over roughly five decades. Experts note that climate change adds stress to the population, but maternal care can boost cub survival in challenging northern conditions.

What comes next

Both cubs look healthy, and conservationists expect the family to stay together for about two and a half years. When sea ice forms, the family will move onto it, giving the cubs a chance to learn how to hunt seals and survive more independently.

Expert view

Evan Richardson, a polar bear scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, says such adoptions remain uncommon but offer a glimmer of resilience for a species under pressure from a warming Arctic. He notes that if a female can adopt and rear an additional cub, it can be beneficial for bears in Churchill.

Summary

This rare adoption highlights how polar bears adapt their social behavior in response to a changing environment. While cub survival remains a challenge, acts of care like this can improve odds for the next generation. Researchers will continue monitoring to understand how climate trends influence family dynamics in northern Canada.

Key takeaway: Even in a warming Arctic, polar bears show flexible parenting that can aid cub survival. Source: BBC News

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