Scientists confirm rare instance of polar bear mother adopting a cub – video

Only 13 examples of polar bear adoptions have been recorded among Canada’s western Hudson Bay population since studies began more than 45 years ago.

The mother, known as bear X33991, was spotted with two cubs in November near Bird Cove.

In the Churchill wildlife management area she had only one in the spring.

Alysa McCall, the director of conservation outreach and staff scientist at Polar Bears International, explains how the adoption gives the second cub a better chance of survival

This article was first published by The Guardian on 17 December 2025.