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Polar Bear Maternal Figure Adopts Youngster in Infrequently Documented Case
Researchers monitoring wild polar bears in northern Canada observed something exceedingly rare this fall: a female bear adopting a cub that was not biologically her own.
The half-decade-old mother and her nearly year-old cubs were observed and captured on camera during the annual polar bear migration along the Western Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba, an locale renowned for its polar bear population.
"It's unusual," stated a researcher with an international bear organization. "We don't really know why it happens...but we know it is a rare event at all."
It's only the thirteenth documented instance of fostering out of nearly five thousand bears researched for almost fifty years in that region.
The female bear was first captured as she emerged from her birthing den this spring. At the time, she had a single offspring, which scientists tagged for research.
In the fall, she was spotted once more, but this time with two cubs - the initially tagged cub and another without a tag. Researchers are uncertain what became of the new cub's biological mother, but they are attempting to locate her using genetic samples.
"The bears need every advantage they can get in the current era with a warming climate," noted a wildlife biologist. "When mother bears have the opportunity to pick up another cub and care for it and successfully wean it, it's a good thing for the bears."
Polar bears in the wild only have a 50% chance of living into adulthood, but having a maternal figure providing care improves their chances.
The young bears appear to be in good condition, researchers said, and they will likely stay with their adoptive mother until they are about 30 months of age.
Next, the family is anticipated to venture out to the frozen ocean, where the youngsters will learn from their mother how to catch prey and survive on their own.
"It's just nice to know that the bears are looking out for each other," concluded the scientist.
Heather Campbell
A passionate traveler and writer sharing insights from global journeys and practical lifestyle advice.
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