The sun’s rays crack over the snow-capped mountains. Leaves rustle with the wind, dancing along in the cool, crisp air. Down by a stream, a mammoth brown bear catches a rogue salmon mid air, piercing it with its jaws. With their unmatched strength and grandeur, these remarkable creatures command admiration. It’s no wonder Finland named them their national animal.
Brown bears are found in the Taiga, or boreal forest, a biome distinguished by pine trees and evergreen foliage. This ecosystem, found in Europe, North America, and Asia, is subject to extensive winters. It’s the perfect home for these fluffy creatures, who comb out dens in the forest hillsides. Having adapted to the chilly environment, their burrows and thick coats provide the warmth they need for their months-long hibernation.
Babies are born just after this dormant period. While bears are largely solitary creatures, mothers will care for their cubs for two or three years after birth. With diets similar to our own, they snack on berries, nuts, fruit, and fish. These creatures consume up to 40 kilograms of food a day. Normally weighing over 300 kilograms, they can pack on over twice that amount when winter lays down the first snows.
These feasts have another significant purpose – they fuel their thriving ecosystem. Bears can trek up to 80 kilometres a day through the forest. While they meander around the woodland, their droppings are widely spread, enriching the soil with nutrients. Yet they don’t always travel on all fours. Bears occasionally spring up onto their hind legs, using their front paws to pick up tasty morsels. This position also allows them to spread their scent on trees, marking their availability for breeding while relishing in a little backrub.
But despite being at the top of the food chain, brown bears still face threats. They’re hunted as big game as well as for their hide, and their gall bladders fetch high prices in Asia. While their population is still stable, we must do all we can to prevent a decline. Brown bears deserve all the respect they can get.
Images by Valtteri Mulkahainen were used in the creation of this film.
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