Two bears who are longtime favorites at Helsinki’s Zoo have woken from their winter hibernation after only six weeks of sleep, and despite a weeklong nap in February, appear to be awake for the season.
The two, who are 18 and 23 years old, began their annual hibernation in October, and first woke up for a time in December. It’s apparently not uncommon for bears to wake during hibernation, sometimes for a snack or to adjust their sleeping position. The February nap came during a sudden cold snap.
Now, in March, the bears have ventured outside and begun serious eating, starting with treats such as bits of meat tied to trees and fresh willow branch tips as seen in the photo above. In most years, the Zoo’s bears sleep for a full three months; this is only the second short hibernation on record.
Photo: Annika Sorjonen / Helsinki Zoo
