She hides behind a tall tree, calculating the ideal moment to charge at her prey. This grey wolf is missing the deadly teamwork of her pack, but she’s not without a partner. A beast emerges to help her, and the two sit side by side to share their prize. He’s not her natural counterpart. Instead, he’s a brown bear.
This unlikely duo was first spotted in 2013 by photographer Lassi Rautiainen. For 10 days, he documented the pair in the wilderness in Khumo, Finland. For wildlife to survive and thrive, they generally stick with their own species to hunt, mate, and protect their territory. Bears prefer a life of solitude and wolves are reared in packs, making their affinity one that defies nature. Though the reason for their friendship remains unclear, interspecies relationships may spur from the stress or trauma of being separated from their social group. Rautiainen captured the wolf and bear playing, feeding, and resting together, making one thing certain – they find comfort and security in one another.
In Finland, brown bear populations are stable while grey wolves are endangered. They’re both strictly protected under the Habitats Directive, allowing them to build a natural bond in the wild. The mammals may not be of the same species, but this pair share a mutual dependence. With a connection as unconventional as a grey wolf and brown bear, it serves as an enduring reminder that nature is full of surprises.
Footage and photos by Lassi Rautiainen were used in the creation of this film.
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