US EditionRare instance of polar bear cub being adopted near Churchill verified by scientists
This is only the 13th confirmed case of polar bear adoption in over 4,600 bears studied in Western Hudson Bay, offering the adopted cub a better chance at survival.
- 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.
- 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.
54 Articles
54 Articles
Wild Polar Bear Photographed With Rare 'Adopted' Cub
Researchers with Polar Bears International were tracking a female polar bear in Western Hudson Bay this spring. They fitted her with a GPS collar and documented her caring for a single cub. But then, when she was later spotted with two cubs of roughly the same age, scientists realized they were looking at something incredibly rare among polar bears: adoption. The Washington Post reports that, out of the roughly 4,600 bears studied in the region …
A wild polar bear adopted an orphan breeding in northern Canada. The event occurred during the annual migration of polar bears in western Hudson Bay. Researchers documented the scene as an unusual behavior in this species.The record showed the female accompanied by two young, although weeks earlier she moved only with one.The adoption of offspring among polar bears is considered uncommon according to available scientific data.Specialists from th…
The adoption of young animals is rare in polar bears. The researchers were all the more astonished in their observation.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
