Arctic Bear Maternal Figure Takes In Youngster in Infrequently Documented Case
Scientists monitoring free-roaming polar bears in northern Canada witnessed something remarkably uncommon this autumn: a mother bear taking in a cub that was not genetically her own.
The five-year-old maternal bear and her nearly year-old cubs were observed and filmed during the annual polar bear journey along the Western Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba, an area known for its concentration of Arctic bears.
"This is uncommon," stated a researcher with an international bear organization. "The reasons are unclear why it happens...but we know it doesn't happen often at all."
It's only the 13th known case of fostering out of nearly five thousand bears studied for nearly five decades in the area.
The mother bear was initially tagged as she emerged from her maternity den this spring. At the time, she had one cub, which scientists marked for research.
In the fall, she was spotted once more, but this time with two cubs - the original cub and a second without a tag. Scientists aren't sure what happened to the new cub's biological mother, but they are attempting to identify her using DNA analysis.
"These animals need all the help they can get these days with a warming climate," noted a wildlife biologist. "When mother bears have the opportunity to pick up an additional youngster and raise it and see it to independence, it's a good thing for the bears."
Polar bears in the natural world only have a 50% chance of surviving into adulthood, but having a mother providing care improves their chances.
The young bears appear to be healthy, according to experts, and they will likely stay with their mother until they are about 30 months of age.
Next, the bear family is expected to venture out to sea ice, where the youngsters will learn from their mother bear how to catch prey and live on their own.
"It's just nice to know that the animals are caring for each other," added the scientist.