Rare Adoption: Wild Polar Bear Mother Takes in Orphaned Cub in Western Hudson Bay
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — In a remarkable display of maternal instinct, a female polar bear in the Western Hudson Bay sub-population has been documented adopting an orphaned cub, a behavior so rare it has been recorded only a handful of times in the last half-century. Canadian scientists from Polar Bears International, a nonprofit dedicated to polar bear conservation, tracked the female bear, identified as X33991, after fitting her with a tracking collar in the spring. Initially observed with a single cub, she was later sighted in the fall accompanied by two cubs of similar age — one her biological offspring and the other an unrelated orphan.
“Polar bear adoptions are very rare and unusual and we don’t know why they happen,” said Alysa McCall, director of conservation outreach and staff scientist at Polar Bears International, in a video released by the organization. Over 4,600 bears from this sub-population have been studied for more than 50 years, and this marks only the 13th documented case of such adoption.
Evan Richardson, a research scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, explained that female polar bears possess strong maternal instincts. “Female polar bears are really good moms and so they’re just primed for looking after and caring for their offspring,” he said. “We think if there’s a little cub that’s bawling on the coast and has lost its mother, these females just can’t help themselves but to take them on and look after them. It’s a really curious behavior and an interesting aspect of polar bear life history.”
Researchers collected genetic samples from the adopted cub to try to determine what happened to its biological mother. This rare occurrence sheds light on the complex social behaviors of polar bears, which are often perceived as solitary animals. The adoption also raises questions about the environmental pressures these animals face, especially as climate change continues to impact Arctic habitats.
Polar bears depend heavily on sea ice for hunting seals, their primary food source, but warming temperatures have led to significant ice loss in the Hudson Bay region. According to the National Park Service Arctic Program, these changes threaten polar bear survival by reducing hunting opportunities and increasing energy expenditure.
Polar Bears International has been at the forefront of monitoring and conserving polar bear populations, working closely with Canadian authorities to track movements and behaviors. Their research, supported by data from environmental organizations and government agencies, aims to inform conservation strategies that can help mitigate the impacts of climate change on these iconic animals.
This extraordinary adoption story not only highlights the resilience and adaptability of polar bears but also underscores the urgent need to protect their fragile Arctic environment. As researchers continue to study these animals, each new discovery contributes to a deeper understanding of their survival challenges and the critical importance of preserving their habitat.
Leave a Reply