Many bears are believed to be on the move this winter looking for a dry den in which to hibernate.

"There has been a lot of rain and little snow. For example, a den close to a marsh drainage ditch might be flooded as water levels rise and the bear moves out to change locations," explains Ilkka Tiainen of the local hunters' association in Parikkala. "Those bears that have gone under the roots of spruce trees may have to find a new place to bed down, too."

Back-up ready

Bears usually prepare a den for the winter somewhere unobtrusive. Young bears favour dense stands of spruce trees. Often dens have a small entrance, but are as roomy as an efficiency flat inside.

"Bears often prepare for these situations so that if their first den becomes uninhabitable for some reason, they have a back-up den ready," says Tiainen.

Bears can hibernate for more than six months of the year. While in hibernation, their pulse drops from 40 beats per minute to about 10 and body temperature falls from 38 degrees Celsius to 34. Even so, it has been found that even in this state of reduced physical activity, a bear's senses remain sharply tuned to its surroundings.