What happened: A polar bear mother in northern Canada has adopted a cub, marking only the 13th known adoption among 4,600 bears studied over nearly 50 years.
Why it matters:
- This rare behaviour provides new insights into polar bear social dynamics and maternal care.
- It affects understanding of polar bear population and cub survival in changing Arctic environments.
MNN Take: Adoption among polar bears is extremely uncommon, making this case significant for wildlife researchers studying animal behaviour and adaptation.
Sources: BBC World