Have they ever had to cajole a worn-out child into continuing their journey after a long day out?
Well, it’s not too different in the wild, as a recent sighting of a polar bear family in Canada’s frigid Hudson Bay region demonstrates.
Caught on camera was a fascinating scene of animal parenting. After a day of following its mother, an exhausted polar bear cub appeared to be slowing down.
Its mother, stepping in decisively, gripped the cub in her teeth, swung it forward, and plopped it back onto the frosty ground. The harsh landscape didn’t have any room for fatigue.
This riveting series of photos captures the polar bear family embarking on a monumental journey from their winter den to the sea ice—a trip amounting to 35 miles. The destination? A rich supply of food is vital for the survival of the young cubs.
Born weighing less than two pounds, these cubs depend on their mother’s nutritious milk to bulk up.
Once they are strong enough to leave their den, the trek to the ice becomes their initiation into the challenging life that awaits.
Over the next two and a half years, the cub will remain by its mother’s side, learning the critical skill of seal hunting.
These striking photos were the work of the celebrated American wildlife photographer Thomas Mangelsen.
Over ten days, Mangelsen persevered in the bone-chilling weather, patiently waiting by the den for hours to capture these captivating moments.
According to him, the mother bear stays close to her cubs around the den for several days.
This time is used for play and wrestling, a crucial period that fortifies the Cubs for their daunting 35-mile journey.
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