In Kuhmo, Eastern Finland, the taiga forests stretch all the way to the Russian border. It’s within this vast and largely untouched territory that one of Europe’s largest predators can still be found: the brown bear (Ursus arctos). To observe it in its natural habitat, Portuguese wildlife photographer Nuno Silva spent several days immersed in the forest, accompanied by a local guide. This precaution is essential not only to ensure safety but also to minimize disturbance to the local wildlife.
Article by Damien Lafon and photographs by Nuno Silva.
A powerful yet discreet omnivore
An adult European brown bear stands between 1.80 and 2.80 meters tall. Its weight generally ranges from 350 to 550 kilograms, depending on sex, age, and season. Despite its bulk, the bear is surprisingly agile and silent. Its diet is mostly vegetarian: berries, roots, grasses, and fungi. However, it also consumes insects, fish, carrion, and occasionally small mammals.
Equipped with an extremely developed sense of smell, the bear can detect food from several kilometers away. This sensory strength compensates for its average vision and fine hearing. As an opportunistic feeder, the brown bear adapts its behavior to available resources.
“The bear embodies both strength and caution. It remains largely misunderstood, even though it plays a key ecological role,” explains Nuno Silva, who photographs Europe’s large predators.
Cognitive abilities and social behavior
Among land carnivores, the brown bear possesses one of the largest brains relative to body size. Recent studies have highlighted complex behaviors, such as using tools to move stones or access food. These traits point to remarkable intelligence and a high degree of adaptability.
Although generally solitary, brown bears do congregate around abundant food sources, like salmon spawning grounds. In such settings, a social hierarchy forms, often dictated by size and age.
A vital player in the ecosystem
Brown bears are important for maintaining boreal forest balance. As scavengers, they accelerate the decomposition of carcasses, reducing disease transmission. Their droppings also disperse seeds, supporting plant regeneration. Some studies even suggest they influence rodent and insect populations indirectly.
In autumn, bears enter a state of hyperphagia, consuming up to 20,000 calories per day to build fat reserves. This prepares them for hibernation, which usually lasts from November to April. Contrary to popular belief, hibernating bears do not sleep deeply they can wake if temperatures shift suddenly.
Did you know?
Finland’s forests absorb around 21 million tons of CO₂ each year. These boreal ecosystems play a vital role in climate regulation and provide habitat for bears, lynx, wolverines, and wolves. Their preservation is critical to global ecological balance.
An ethical approach to observation
In the forests of Kuhmo, bear tracks, claw marks, and berry-filled droppings are common but subtle signs of presence. To catch a glimpse of the animal, Nuno Silva built a blind near a frequently used clearing. There, he waited for hours in silence, keeping a respectful distance. No food was used to attract the bear.
“I refuse to force nature. My work relies on patience, respect, and discretion,” he says.
The appearance was brief but powerful: a male bear slowly crossed the clearing, sniffed the ground, then vanished behind a pair of birch trees. A few photographs were enough to capture the moment without intruding on it.
Persistent threats
Finland’s bear population is estimated at around 2,000 individuals. This number has remained relatively stable, thanks to strong conservation policies and the presence of large, sparsely populated forests. However, habitat fragmentation—due to logging and forest road construction limits bear movement and increases the risk of human conflict.
Climate change is also disrupting their biological rhythms. Shorter winters and earlier springs alter the availability of key food sources like berries. As a result, bear-human encounters are increasing, particularly in rural areas.
Coexisting with the wild
Regulated ecotourism initiatives allow bear observation without disturbing the ecosystem. Specialized refuges offer long-distance viewing sessions in accordance with the bears’ biological cycles. These programs generate supplemental income for local communities while promoting biodiversity awareness.
However, coexistence requires rules: limiting access to sensitive areas, training guides, and educating visitors. Conservation efforts cannot succeed without shared responsibility between scientists, residents, authorities, and mindful observers.
Did you know?
An adult brown bear can travel up to 40 kilometers in a single day.
It often follows the same trails, marking its territory with claw marks and pheromones. These movements are crucial for feeding, avoiding others, or finding a mate.
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