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Researchers tracking free-roaming polar bears in Canada's northern regions witnessed something remarkably uncommon this fall: a female bear adopting a cub that was not genetically her own.

The half-decade-old maternal bear and her 10- to 11-month-old cubs were observed and filmed during the annual polar bear migration along the Hudson Bay's western shore near the Manitoba town of Churchill, an locale renowned for its polar bear population.

"It's unusual," remarked a researcher with an international bear organization. "The reasons are unclear why it occurs...but we know it doesn't happen often at all."

This represents only the thirteenth documented instance of fostering out of nearly five thousand bears researched for nearly five decades in that region.

The mother bear was first captured as she came out from her maternity den this springtime. Initially, she had one cub, which researchers tagged for study.

In the fall, she was spotted once more, but this time with a pair of cubs - the initially tagged cub and a second without a tag. Scientists are uncertain what happened to the second cub's birth mother, but they are trying to identify her using genetic samples.

"The bears need every advantage they can get these days with a warming climate," commented a wildlife biologist. "If females have the chance to pick up another cub and raise it and see it to independence, it's a positive development for the bears."

Polar bears in the natural world only have a 50% chance of living into maturity, but having a maternal figure providing care improves their odds.

The cubs are reported as healthy, according to experts, and they will likely remain with their mother until they are about 30 months of age.

Following this, the family is anticipated to head out to the frozen ocean, where the youngsters will be taught from their mother bear how to catch prey and survive on their own.

"It is heartening to know that the animals are caring for each other," concluded the researcher.