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Scientists tracking free-roaming polar bears in Canada's northern regions witnessed something remarkably uncommon this autumn: a female bear taking in a cub that was not biologically her own.

The half-decade-old mother and her nearly year-old cubs were spotted and captured on camera during the yearly polar bear journey along the Hudson Bay's western shore near Churchill, Manitoba, an area known for its concentration of Arctic bears.

"It's unusual," stated a scientist with an international bear organization. "We don't really know why it happens...but we know it doesn't happen often at all."

This represents only the thirteenth documented instance of adoption out of 4,600 bears researched for almost fifty years in that region.

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

In the fall, she was seen again, but this time with two cubs - the initially tagged cub and another that was untagged. Scientists are uncertain what became of the new cub's biological mother, but they are attempting to identify her using DNA analysis.

"These animals need every advantage they can get in the current era with a warming climate," commented a polar bear scientist. "When mother bears have the chance to take in another cub 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 fifty-fifty survival rate of living into adulthood, but having a maternal figure providing care improves their chances.

The young bears appear to be in good condition, researchers said, and they will probably stay with their adoptive mother until they are about two-and-a-half years old.

Next, the bear family is expected to venture out to the frozen ocean, where the cubs will be taught from their mother bear how to catch prey and survive on their own.

"It is heartening to know that the bears are looking out for each other," added the researcher.