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

The five-year-old mother and her nearly year-old cubs were observed and captured on camera during the annual polar bear migration along the Western Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba, an locale known for its polar bear population.

"It's unusual," remarked a researcher with a polar bear conservation group. "We don't really know why it happens...but we know it doesn't happen often at all."

It's only the 13th known case of fostering out of 4,600 bears studied for nearly five decades in the area.

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

In the fall, she was spotted once more, but this time with a pair of cubs - the original cub and another without a tag. Researchers aren't sure what happened to the second cub's biological mother, but they are trying to identify her using genetic samples.

"These animals need all the help they can get in the current era with a warming climate," commented a wildlife biologist. "If females have the opportunity to pick up another cub and raise it and see it to independence, it's a good thing for the bears."

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

The cubs are reported as in good condition, researchers said, and they will likely stay with their 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 learn from their mother how to catch prey and live on their own.

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