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Helsinki Zoo’s bears have woken up from their winter hibernation

Two brown bears at the Helsinki Zoo in Korkeasaari crawled out of their winter quarters Friday morning, ending their winter hibernation. They immediately took to eating, and then rolled with pleasure in their enclosure’s bark chip mulch.

Emo ja tytär uskaltautuivat tänään ensimmäistä kertaa ulkoilemaan.
Brown bear Sofia and her female cub Yulia ventured outside for the first time today. Image: Mari Lehmonen / Helsinki Zoo archives

The early spring led the bears to forsake their winter slumber one week earlier than normal. One of the bears woke already a few days earlier, but stayed in its quarters with the other until Friday.

Thirteen-year-old Sofia and her eight-year-old cub Yulia ate lamb shanks, apples, carrots and cabbage for their first spring meal. In the spring, they also like the taste of dry hay. The treats on hand also attracted some crows to share in the dividends.

After their meal, the bears began to wrestle. They can be seen outside this weekend at the Helsinki Zoo from 11 am to 3 pm. At other times, they may be napping indoors.

Click here to see a video of the bears’ spring awakening.

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