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Scientists tracking wild polar bears in northern Canada witnessed something exceedingly rare this autumn: a mother bear adopting a cub that was not biologically her own.

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

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

This represents only the 13th known case of adoption out of 4,600 bears researched for almost fifty years in the area.

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

In the fall, she was seen again, but this time with two cubs - the initially tagged cub and a second without a tag. Scientists aren't sure what happened to the second cub's birth mother, but they are attempting to identify her using DNA analysis.

"These animals need all the help they can get in the current era with climate change," noted a wildlife biologist. "If females have the opportunity to pick up another cub and raise it and see it to independence, it's a positive development for the population."

Polar bears in the wild only have a 50% chance of living into maturity, but having a mother providing care improves their chances.

The cubs are reported as in good condition, researchers said, 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 learn from their mother bear how to hunt seals and survive on their own.

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