The Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) is the national animal of Finland. The Finnish population is estimated at around 1000 individuals, but despite this low figure it is still hunted. Without reinforcements from behind the Russian border, Finnish bears would long since have been hunted to extinction. Most bears live in the large wilderness areas on the Russian side of the Finnish border. When the hunting season starts, many move back to the quieter Russian back country only to return in spring after hibernation. Watching and photographing bears in Finland is possible. A good time is from the middle of April to the beginning of June when the bears have just awoken from their winter sleep.

Thanks to all for the very nice comments.