Scientists log rare case of female polar bear adopting cub: They're really good moms'

"Polar Bears International, a non-profit conservation group, said on Wednesday that when they first placed a GPS collar on a female polar bear in the spring, she had one young cub. But when she was spotted with two cubs of roughly the same age last month, they realized they were witnessing an exceedingly rare case of adoption. Female polar bears are really good moms and so they're just primed for looking after and caring for their offspring,"

"Polar bear adoptions are very rare and unusual and we don't know why they happen, said Alysa McCall, of Polar Bears International, calling it an amazing sight to witness. The two cubs, which appear healthy and well-nourished are believed to be 10 or 11 months old and are expected to stay with their mother for another 1.5 years. GPS data show the three bears are already on the sea ice."

A female polar bear identified as X33991 in Western Hudson Bay was fitted with a GPS collar in spring while with one cub and was later observed with two similarly aged cubs, indicating adoption. The Western Hudson Bay subpopulation has been studied for nearly half a century, encompassing about 4,600 bears, and this represents only the 13th recorded adoption. The two cubs are approximately 10–11 months old and are expected to remain with the female for roughly 1.5 more years. GPS data place the trio on sea ice where the cubs will rely on the mother to catch seals and learn essential survival and foraging skills.

Read at www.theguardian.com