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Researchers monitoring free-roaming polar bears in Canada's northern regions observed something remarkably uncommon this autumn: a mother bear adopting a cub that was not genetically her own.

The five-year-old maternal bear and her 10- to 11-month-old cubs were spotted and captured on camera during the annual polar bear journey along the Hudson Bay's western shore near the Manitoba town of Churchill, an area known for its polar bear population.

"This is uncommon," remarked a researcher with an international bear organization. "We don't really know why it happens...but we know it doesn't happen often at all."

It's only the thirteenth documented instance of adoption out of 4,600 bears studied for almost fifty years in that region.

The female bear was initially tagged as she came out from her birthing den this springtime. At the time, she had one cub, which researchers marked for study.

In the fall, she was seen again, but this time with two cubs - the original cub and a second that was untagged. Researchers are uncertain what became of the new cub's birth mother, but they are attempting to locate her using DNA analysis.

"These animals need every advantage they can get these days with a warming climate," noted a polar bear scientist. "When mother bears have the chance to take in an additional youngster and raise it and see it to independence, it's a positive development for the population."

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

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

Following this, the bear family is anticipated to head out to the frozen ocean, where the cubs will learn from their mother bear how to catch prey and live on their own.

"It's just nice to know that the animals are looking out for each other," concluded the scientist.