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Scientists monitoring wild polar bears in Canada's northern regions observed something exceedingly rare this autumn: a mother bear taking in a cub that was not genetically her own.

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

"This is uncommon," stated a researcher with an international bear organization. "The reasons are unclear why it happens...but we know it doesn't happen often at all."

It's only the thirteenth documented instance of adoption out of nearly five thousand bears researched for nearly five decades in the area.

The female bear was first captured as she emerged from her maternity den this spring. At the time, she had a single offspring, which scientists marked for study.

In the fall, she was spotted once more, but this time with two cubs - the original cub and a second without a tag. Scientists are uncertain what became of the second cub's birth mother, but they are attempting to identify her using DNA analysis.

"The bears need all the help they can get these days with climate change," noted a polar bear scientist. "If females have the chance to pick up an additional youngster and care for it and successfully wean it, it's a good thing for the bears."

Polar bears in the natural world only have a 50% chance of living into adulthood, but having a maternal figure caring for them boosts their odds.

The young bears appear to be in good condition, researchers said, and they will likely stay 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 cubs will be taught 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 researcher.