Elistvere Park bear Ursula skipped hibernation last year thanks to regular meals

Ursula, a female bear living in Elistvere Park in Estonia, did not hibernate last year because food was provided for her. Park keeper Kairi Hermits said this on Terevisioon, a programme on Estonian public broadcaster ETV.

Ursula was brought to the park last year. Staff waited with interest to see whether she would go into hibernation, but it did not happen. According to Hermits, the bear did go to her den for a daytime nap, but came out to eat in the morning and evening.

Food every day

Hermits explained that the park's animals have an advantage over wild ones: food is brought to them daily. Ursula therefore probably decided that sleeping was not necessary at all. Whether she will hibernate this year cannot be predicted. The park's previous female bear also never hibernated.

Ursula is currently preparing for the arrival of winter and, the keeper noted, has a very beautiful coat.

Needs human company

Hermits said contact with people is very important to Ursula. On Mondays, when the zoo is closed, the bear often climbs a tree and looks around to see where everyone is. According to the keeper, the animal enjoys attention and likes to show off.