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Scientists tracking wild polar bears in Canada's northern regions witnessed something remarkably uncommon this autumn: a mother bear adopting a cub that was not genetically her own.

The half-decade-old mother and her nearly year-old cubs were observed and filmed during the yearly polar bear migration along the Hudson Bay's western shore near the Manitoba town of Churchill, an area renowned for its concentration of Arctic bears.

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

This represents only the 13th known case of adoption out of nearly five thousand bears researched for nearly five decades in the area.

The female bear was initially tagged as she came out from her maternity den this spring. Initially, she had one cub, which scientists marked for study.

In the autumn, she was spotted once more, but this time with two cubs - the initially tagged cub and a second without a tag. Scientists are uncertain what happened to the second cub's biological mother, but they are attempting to locate her using DNA analysis.

"The bears need every advantage they can get these days with a warming climate," commented a polar bear scientist. "When mother bears have the opportunity to pick up an additional youngster and raise it and see it to independence, it's a good thing for the population."

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

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

Next, the family is anticipated to head out to the frozen ocean, where the youngsters will be taught from their mother how to hunt seals and live on their own.

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