Korkeasaari Zoo’s Bears Have Awakened from Hibernation

Korkeasaari Zoo's bears have woken up from their hibernation and have been spending time outdoors in their snow-covered enclosure. The zoo’s 24 and 19 year-old female bears had a somewhat restless winter rest. One suspected reason for their frequent awakenings is the mild weather at the beginning of the year. This winter, their longest continuous hibernation period lasted five weeks.

The older of the two bears was the first to rush to the treats hidden in the snow, with the younger one quickly following in her mother’s paw prints. The bears roamed in the snow, digging for food, and even engaged in short sprints and playful wrestling matches. Both also rolled in the snow and spent a good while scratching their backs against a tree before retreating indoors.

Restless sleep

The residents of Bear Castle went into hibernation as usual at the turn of October and November but woke up for the first time already around the New Year. The bears slept more lightly throughout the mild January but returned to deeper sleep when temperatures dropped again in February.

“For the first time, we monitored the bears’ den with a camera and discovered that they move surprisingly much during hibernation. They change positions and take bathroom breaks. The camera did not reveal any specific reasons for their restless sleep in January, but the mild winter likely played a role. Hunger probably wasn’t the cause, as their interest in food remained low throughout the winter,” says zookeeper Susan Nuurtila.

During winter, Korkeasaari Zoo’s bears are fed a lighter diet, including lettuce, carrots, and apples. Now that they have started going outdoors again, dry food has been added to their meals, and as spring progresses, they will gradually return to their normal diet. In the fall, both bears had fattened up to around 220 kilograms. They haven’t been weighed yet this year, but in previous years, they have lost about 50 kilograms over the winter.

For an animal the size of a bear, finding sufficient food in a snowy landscape is challenging, which is why the species survives in northern habitats by hibernating through winter. Hibernation helps bears conserve energy; their body temperature drops only a few degrees, but their metabolism slows down significantly. At Helsinki’s Korkeasaari Zoo, the bears typically wake up from hibernation in February.

Springtime at the zoo

The residents of the zoo’s Bear Castle are now spending time outdoors daily, depending on their energy levels, so visitors may see them in their outdoor enclosures. However, they still have the option to take short naps indoors if they wish.

According to the zookeeper, mornings are when the bears have the most energy. As their appetite grows throughout the spring, they become more active. In the early evening, the bears usually retreat indoors to sleep.