Finnish Spring in Ranua

30.3.2025 – Source: Ranua Wildlife Park

Winter is slowly changing into spring There is still snow, but one can definitively see the signs of the new season. We get more and more daylight and therefore the last chances of catching the northern lights are by mid-April.

The next phase of the renovation of the ice bear area has started, which means that the current ice bear bridge will be closed until the summer.

Venus the polar bear has been moved to another enclosure and is available for public viewing if she feels to be seen. Venus is still getting used to her new enclosure, so she may be restless at times. Venus’ new, even better home will be completed in the summer and we will do our best to help her enjoy her temporary enclosure.

Nice nap in the snow

🐻 A sure sign of spring – on the 5th of March the brown bear Malla woke up from hibernation! 🌿☀️

After four months of winter sleep, Malla the bear is finally awake and now roams outside at her own pace for visitors to see! Though waking up is a slow process and she might still feel a little drowsy, the sun tickles her nose and gently awakens her mind.

Come and take a peek at Malla’s famous stretching moves and see how she welcomes spring! 🐾💚

She really seems to be enjoying herself 🙂

Malla measures her strength after the hibernation!

Although the bear’s body breaks down muscle proteins during hibernation, it prevents the loss of muscle mass and strength. The bear’s body recycles urea into the intestine, where microbes convert it back into amino acids – the building blocks of new muscle proteins. Thanks to this unique mechanism, the bear wakes up in spring still strong and ready to move!

Exciting things are happening in the wolverine family’s life! The one-year-old pups are now living together, as their parents have been reunited.

The female wolverine, Khurma, was especially delighted to see her mate from the summer, even digging her way to him. The wolverine pair has once again been granted permission to breed by the conservation program coordinator ❤️

Wolverine in action 🙂

That brief moment when you’re ready for battle, but then you remember you don’t have antlers… 😄

The moment we’ve been waiting for – the otters have finally got to meet each other!

Alma took it easy in her den, but Harald was busy exploring every scent and snowbank. He even peeked into Alma’s den – though his style was a bit peculiar😄

Surveillance cameras gave us a peek into the night. Alma ventured outside, at times there was loud discussion of the boundaries, and also lots of dipping in to the water happened. The introduction has started calmly, but there’s sure to be plenty of action as they continue to get to know each other.

These Eurasian otters are part of the EAZA Ex-situ conservation program, and we’ve received permission for them to breed! Eurasian otters typically mate in late winter, so with good luck, we might expect otter pups as soon as in the spring! ❤️

Have you ever heard sounds of lynxes?

Lynxes mating season is in the springtime, and you can hear them calling each other even in near by forests. Normally nocturnal, this predator is active at daytime during mating season.

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