In an extraordinary and rarely documented event, researchers studying wild polar bears in northern Canada have witnessed a five-year-old mother bear adopt a cub that was not her own. This remarkable observation took place along the Western Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba — a town widely known for its dense polar bear population.
The mother bear, already caring for her biological cub, was spotted with an additional cub that scientists had not previously tagged. Researchers captured these heartwarming moments on camera during the annual polar bear migration, marking only the 13th known case of adoption among nearly 4,600 bears studied over almost five decades.
"It's unusual," said Alyssa McCall, a scientist at Polar Bears International. "We don't really know why it happens... but we know it doesn't happen often at all." The discovery highlights a rare glimpse into the complex social behaviors of polar bears in the wild.
The mother bear had initially been captured in the spring after emerging from her maternity den. At that time, she was accompanied by just her single cub, which scientists tagged for ongoing research. However, when researchers observed her again in the fall, she had two cubs — her original tagged cub and a second, untagged one. The biological mother of the new cub remains unknown, though genetic sampling is underway to identify her.
Evan Richardson, a polar bear scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, emphasized the importance of this adoption in the context of climate change. "The bears need all the help they can get these days," he explained. "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."
Polar bear cubs in the wild face a challenging start to life, with only about a 50% chance of surviving into adulthood. Having the care of a dedicated mother, particularly in harsh Arctic conditions, significantly improves their odds of survival. Researchers have noted that both cubs appear healthy and are likely to stay with their adoptive mother until they reach around two-and-a-half years old.
As the family prepares to move toward the sea ice, the cubs will begin learning essential survival skills from their mother, including hunting seals and navigating the icy terrain. This remarkable story offers a rare glimpse into the resilience, adaptability, and compassion found in the natural world.
"It's just nice to know that the bears are looking out for each other," Richardson added, reminding us of the unexpected moments of kindness that occur even in the harshest environments.