Brown Bear has woken up from hibernation

Malla, the brown bear at Ranua Wildlife Park, has woken up from her winter sleep and has come out of her den. As spring progresses, Malla will once again spend time outside in her enclosure. After hibernation, however, bears can still be somewhat sleepy and may return to their den to rest from time to time.

In Ranua, brown bear hibernation usually lasts from November to March, around four to five months. Hibernation is not continuous deep sleep; bears may move in their den and change position during the winter.

During hibernation bears fast. In spring, feeding begins gradually with smaller portions so that digestion can restart slowly after the long fasting period. The amount of food increases little by little as the season progresses.

A bear waking from hibernation is one of the sure signs that spring is on its way to Ranua Wildlife Park.