Only 13 instances of adoption have been recorded in western Hudson Bay polar bear population since studies began more than 45 years ago.

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

Only 13 instances of adoption have been recorded in western Hudson Bay polar bear population since studies began more than 45 years ago.

Canadian researchers tracking bear known as X33991 noticed she had gained a second cub who likely needed help

A team of Canadian researchers have documented a rare care of a female polar bear adopting an unrelated cub who was apparently orphaned.