Brown Bear Begins Hibernation

A sure sign of winter: the brown bear has began its winter hibernation. Malla began preparing already in autumn by eating heartily and building up a thick layer of fat, which will sustain her through the long winter months without food. Now, as the frosty weather has reached Ranua, she has settled into her den to rest – and will once again be visible to visitors in the spring.

Throughout the autumn, Malla built herself a cozy nest from moss, hay, and straw. Her appetite has gradually decreased while her need for sleep has grown. When the ground received a light blanket of snow and the frost deepened, the bear finally calmed down and curled up for her winter sleep.

Malla usually sleeps until March, about five months in total. Hibernation is an important period of rest for bears, during which their metabolism slows down and energy is conserved for essential bodily functions.