Adoption in Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) ...

• Main Authors: Derocher, A.E., Wiig, Ø.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: University of Alberta Library 1999
• Subjects: Ursus maritimus; Capture; Adoption; Barents Sea; Svalbard; Polar bears; Handling; Hopen; Hopen island
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.7939/r37p8tq5q; https://ualberta.scholaris.ca/handle/123456789/15978

We observed a case of adoption of a single four-month-old polar bear cub (Ursus maritimus) into an existing litter of two cubs on Hopen Island, Svalbard. We believe the high density of maternity dens in the study area may increase the likelihood of natural adoption. Speculation about theoretical imp...