Observation of Adoption in Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus)

• Published in: ARCTIC
• Main Authors: Derocher, A.E., Wiig, Ø.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Arctic Institute of North America 1999
• Subjects: adoption; Barents Sea; capture; handling; polar bear; Ursus maritimus; Svalbard; mer de Barents; manipulation; ours polaire; Hopen; Arctic; Hopen island; Mer de Barents
• Online Access: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/view/64002

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...