Adorable Bear Cubs Learn to Climb with the Help of their Sibling and Protective Mother
In a secluded forest in northern Finland, a pair of adorable bear cubs cautiously ascended a tree, eager to showcase their newly acquired climbing skills. Assisted by their vigilant mother, the cubs carefully made their way up the tree, under her watchful eyes. Even when they paused just a few feet off the ground, their mother offered gentle encouragement, ensuring their progress was closely monitored.
The mother bear’s guidance in teaching her cubs to climb serves multiple purposes, including equipping them with the ability to avoid potential dangers, find food sources, and secure safe resting places. As one of the cubs paused after climbing a few feet, it appeared to contemplate whether to ascend higher or descend.
The captivating scene was captured by wildlife photographer Tuomo Bjorksten, who explained that the mother bear directed her cubs up the tree to ensure their safety, as a male bear was in the vicinity. Bjorksten, aged 33, shared, “There were two or three cubs with their mom, practicing climbing. The cubs looked happy that they had finally mastered it.”
The cubs attentively observed their mother’s movements, and after some time, she assisted them in safely descending from the tree. Bjorksten further revealed that it is uncommon to encounter bears in Finnish forests by simply venturing in. They used preparations like food as bait to attract the bears. “This is why we were sure we would see the bears,” he added. They spent over 14 hours in a hideout for their safety, and it didn’t take long for the bears to appear.
While moments of emptiness seemed to fill the forest, the cubs emerged shortly after Bjorksten settled into his hideout. Overwhelmed with emotion, the photographer shared his experience, saying, “I was very moved when I saw the mother coming to the cub as if to say, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.’ I believe animals have feelings, too – even if they can’t express them in words. I was thrilled to witness the bear mother with her cubs, and I’m delighted that I was able to capture this extraordinary moment on camera.”
The heartwarming scene was captured by wildlife photographer Tuomo Bjorksten, who dedicated 14 hours to photographing wildlife in the forest. The mother bear was teaching her cubs to climb, allowing them to escape danger, find food sources, and discover safe resting places in the future. According to Bjorksten, the cubs appeared “really happy” when they finally mastered climbing the tree. They carefully observed their mother’s actions and received her assistance in descending safely.
Finland’s vast forests are estimated to be home to around 1,500 brown bears, which can weigh over 650 lbs as adults and are known to hunt large animals such as deer or elk. Encounters with these bears are rare, making bear-watching trips between April and September popular among tourists. The densely forested borderlands of Eastern Finland serve as an ideal destination for such trips. Bjorksten mentioned waiting for over 14 hours in a small hideout, but the bear family approached shortly after he took his position.
