Only 13 examples of polar bear adoptions have been recorded among the western Hudson Bay population since studies began more than 45 years ago. The mother, known as bear X33991, was spotted with two cubs in November near Bird Cove in the Churchill wildlife management area when she had only one in the spring. Alysa McCall, the director of conservation outreach and staff scientist at Polar Bears International, explains how the adoption gives the second cub a new lease on life