The brown bear is one of the most widely distributed terrestrial mammals in the world. In Europe, its strongholds are in the east and north, with healthy populations in Russia, Finland, Sweden, Romania and the Balkans. In contrast, the Italian and Spanish populations are isolated and in decline, threatened by habitat loss and persecution, while reintroduction of the species into the Pyrennees has proved difficult and controversial.

Wild Wonders of Europe missions photographed the European brown bear in Finland, Slovakia, Romania and the Russian Caucasus, capturing all kinds of interesting behaviour, including swimming, fighting, cubs playing and interaction with wolves.

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