US EditionPolar Bear Mother Adopts Cub in Rarely Documented Case
Researchers documented one of 13 known polar bear adoptions in 45 years, highlighting maternal care that boosts cub survival chances amid a vulnerable species.
- Weeks ago, Canadian researchers captured video during the annual polar bear migration along Western Hudson Bay in Churchill, Manitoba showing a wild female polar bear caring for an adopted cub.
- Researchers first saw the mother in spring as she left her maternity den, with just one tagged cub; only 13 adoptions have been documented in the study population over 45 years.
- Weeks ago, researchers encountered the mother bear again and noted a second untagged cub; both cubs are 10 to 11 months old and likely remain with her until about 2.5 years.
- After reviewing the data, researchers confirmed the adoption but lack information on the adopted cub's biological mother and are pursuing genetic sampling efforts.
- With about 26,000 polar bears worldwide, researchers say such adoptions have conservation importance as the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists them as vulnerable due to sea-ice loss.
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25 Articles
The female had previously set off from Churchill, Canada, with one chick, but returned with two, only one of which was hers.
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Oh Su-jin = A polar bear was spotted adopting an orphaned cub in Canada and caring for it like its own child, AFP and other news agencies reported on the 17th (local time)...
Genetic analyses are under way to identify the biological mother of the adopted bear. "There is a chance that we know who she is," said a scientist.
A very rare case of polar bear adoption by a polar bear in northern Canada has been observed by scientists. This is only the 13th case seen in 45 years. The biological mother of the young bear has not yet been identified with certainty. - "A curious behavior": rare case of polar bear adoption by a polar bear in Canada (Environment).
"Only 13 cases [of adoption] were listed in 45 years," explains one researcher.
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