'Put me down mum': Poignant moment polar bear cub is made to catch up as family make 35-mile trek in snowy sub-zero temperatures

By PHIL VINTER

Keep up: This polar bear mum picks up her cub during a 35-mile trek to Canada's Hudson Bay

It's a scene with which many parents will empathise.
A tired youngster drags their heels after spending a long, hard day traipsing around behind mum. In the case of this polar bear cub however, mum has enough and decides to take matters into her own hands or rather teeth. She picks up her beleagured cub in her mouth and powerfully swings it in front of her before dropping it back down on the ground.
This amazing sequence of pictures captures the family as they set out on a huge trek from their winter den to the sea ice and food in Canada's Hudson Bay.
The bears weigh less than two pounds at birth and fatten up on their mother's rich milk. After emerging from their den they spend a few days growing stronger before the trip to the ice. They will then be with their mother for the next two and a half years as she teaches them how to hunt for seals.


Powerful: The frustrated mum flinging her cub ahead of her so she can keep an eye on him

Taking charge: The huge polar bear puts her cub into position and gets ready to drop it back on to the snowy ground

Take a seat: The cute cub sits up on the snow after his short journey in the mouth of his mother

'Say Freeze!': The bear family take time out from their long march towards the sea and ice in Canada's Hudson Bay

The pictures were taken by renowned American wildlife photographer Thomas Mangelsen over ten days often involving staking out the den for hours in sub-zero conditions.
Thomas said: "Their mother will keep them close by the den allowing them several days to chase and wrestle which strengthens their bodies for the arduous 35 mile journey to Hudson Bay.

Hitching a ride: Weighing less than two pounds the tiny cub pulls himself up the furry back of his mother


Tough going: The bear family continue on their long journey in the sub-zero temperatures

source: dailymail