The largest brown bear population in Europe is in Russia, where it has now recovered from an all-time low caused by intensive hunting. Populations in Baltoscandia are similarly, albeit slowly, increasing. They include almost 3,000 bears in Sweden, 2,000 in Finland, 1,100 in Estonia [26] and around 100 in Norway.

There are about 2300-2500 bears in Finland (Natural Resources Center 2020), so encountering them in the forest by chance is extremely rare. If you want to see a bear in its natural habitat, you can do so in the commercial wildlife hideouts of Kuhmo or Suomussalmi.

Bears can be found anywhere in Finland except the Åland Islands. The bear population is the strongest in eastern Finland and Lapland, but bears are also regularly seen in southern and western Finland.

Finnature organizes Brown Bear watching and photography tours to selected sites near the Russian border in Finland. These Finnish borderlands are a sanctuary for Brown Bears and their population is the strongest here.

Jun 19, 2024 · Yes, bears can be found anywhere in Finland except the Åland Islands. The bear population is the strongest in eastern Finland and Lapland, but bears are also regularly seen in southern and western Finland.

Nov 28, 2015 · This map, created by Finnish designer Annukka Makijarvi, is the best infographic I have seen in a very long time: As you can see in the map key, the reddest areas of the map (concentrated,...

Mar 6, 2025 · Yes, Finland absolutely has bears. In fact, the brown bear is Finland’s national animal, holding a significant place in both the country’s wildlife and its cultural heritage. While they may not be frequently seen, given their shy nature and preference for secluded areas, Finland is home to a substantial brown bear population estimated to be ...

Jun 20, 2024 · Are bears a problem in Finland? There are an estimated 2,000-3,000 brown bears in Finland, and they inhabit about 60% of the country. However, only a small number of bears are considered to be a threat to humans.

Where to see wild brown bears in Finland. Brown bears live along Finland’s far east, nearby the Russian border region. Bear’s don’t know international borders, passports, or immigration stamps, so they roam free between Finland and Russia. It’s …

Nov 22, 2023 · Where to go bear-watching in Finland. As the largest population of Finnish brown bears can be found in Lapland, you will want to head to the north of Finland to increase your chances of seeing a bear. In Northern Finland, the best place to see bears is Kuusamo, just below the Lapland region.