
These once-in-a-lifetime images show the exact moment a polar bear and her cubs emerge from their den.

The adorable shots were taken by Thomas Kokta, a determined photographer who spent more than eleven days waiting for the bears to emerge.

In his quest for the perfectly-timed pictures, Thomas faced strong winds, temperatures of -55C, and estimates he kept watch over the den for 250 hours before having any luck.

Time to play: These once-in-a-lifetime images show the exact moment a polar bear and her cubs emerge from their den

The adorable shots were taken by Thomas Kokta, a determined photographer who spent more than eleven days waiting for the bears to emerge

In his quest for the perfectly-timed pictures, Thomas faced strong winds, temperatures of -55C, and estimates he kept watch over the den for 250 hours before having any luck

Eventually, though, the mother bear emerged with her two-month-old cubs - much to Thomas' delight.

The photographer, originally from Hagen, Germany, continued to snap the bears over a number of days, capturing them playing in the fresh snow, acclimatising to life outside the den, and climbing on each other.

The scenes were witnessed at Wapusk National Park, Canada, which protects one of the world's largest known polar bear maternity denning areas.

Thomas, who lives in Issaquah, Washington, USA, said: 'Polar bear mothers and cubs are not seen by many at this stage.

'The cubs are only two months old and everything is new to them - at first they stayed very close to mum.

Eventually the mother bear emerged with her two-month-old cubs - much to Thomas' delight

The photographer said the cubs are only two months old and everything is new to them - at first they stayed very close to mum

Thomas, who lives in Issaquah, Washington, USA, said polar bear mothers and cubs are not seen by many at this stage

A tiny polar bear surveys the new surroundings for the first time, as its mother coaxes it out of the den

The young bears rolled in the snow together, but kept returning to their mother, playing with her big paws and climbing on her back

'They then slowly ventured away from her, playing with tree branches and snow.

'But they always came back to her, playing with her big paws and climbing on her back.

'I have probably spent close to a full year of my life looking for and photographing polar bears.

'I love the cold, the snow and ice, and the occasional northern lights displays at night.'

The cubs slowly ventured further out in the snow and played rough and tumble with each other as their mother watched

The photographer, originally from Hagen, Germany, continued to snap the bears over a number of days

The photographer said he has spent close to a full year looking for and photographing polar bears as he loves the cold, the snow and ice, and the occasional northern lights displays at night

Sibling rivalry: One of the small cubs chases the other in the snow, trying to get its attention so it can play

Patience pays off: The photographer had to stay dedicated to his mission in order to capture the bears leaving their den

The young polar bear cubs have fun playing in the fresh powder as their mum stands protectively nearby