It’s a rough world out there for baby bears, but one lucky cub is getting a second chance this summer – all thanks to one amazing big sister.
Bear 104, a remarkable 21-year-old matriarch, emerged from her den with three adorable cubs this spring.
It was an idyllic beginning to spring for all of them, but it didn’t last long.
Male grizzly bears are some of the most dangerous threats out there for a mother bear.
Grizzlies only ovulate if they’re around a male for an extended period during mating season; male bears often separate mothers from cubs to get a female all to themselves.
They’ll use any means necessary to achieve this, even killing cubs so they can mate with the mother.
It really is survival of the fittest and most brutal. Unfortunately, this scenario happened to this little family.
It’s suspected an angry male killed two of the three cubs just days after they came out of the den, the mother seemed to abandon raising the third.
Bear 104 has had many litters over the years, but only a handful of her cubs have survived.
However, one of her cubs that did make it to adulthood is Bear 139.
Taking Over
In a touching display of maternal instinct, her daughter, Bear 139, took on the responsibility of caring for her much younger sibling.
Bear 139 is thirteen and had two of her own cubs to start this season.
“Lo and behold, on June 12, [No.] 139 was observed with three cubs,” John Paczkowski, a biologist with Alberta Parks, told the Rocky Mountain Outlook.
“We assume she adopted her mother’s cub.”
Female grizzlies rarely embrace cubs that aren’t their own.
“This is the first documented case of this nature in Kananaskis Country,” explained Paczkowski
These situations typically arise after distressing events, such as confrontations with other bears.
What’s truly impressive is how Bear 139 treats all three cubs as equals. “It’s not like one is out of the group,” he added. She actively feeds them, travels with them, and keeps them united.
Her maternal instincts are clearly very strong, giving extra meaning to the term “mama bear.”
Known well by many, Bear 139 has been under careful observation since she was a cub.
Paczkowski fitted her with a GPS collar last September, allowing the team to closely monitor her activities with her babies.
While Bear 139 is savvy about her environment, her adventurous cubs sometimes wander too close to roads, posing potential dangers. If you happen to spot them, it’s crucial to maintain your distance.
“Although she has been fairly tolerant of people over the years, the message is don’t crowd them,” Paczkowski said.
With around 60 grizzly bears estimated to roam Kananaskis Country, the population appears stable or even slightly increasing. Paczkowski highlighted that many bears are moving back and forth between Alberta and British Columbia, which bodes well for the ecosystem.
As summer progresses, we’ll update you on this incredible little family!
