Brown bears emerge from hibernation in Almaty reserve

Tengrinews.kz — Camera traps in the Almaty State Nature Reserve have captured brown bears emerging from hibernation.

According to the reserve’s press service, brown bears in this protected area wake from hibernation early — from late February to mid-March. Footage from the camera traps shows that this year, a bear first appeared in front of the camera after winter hibernation on March 13.

“On the territory of the reserve, brown bears can be found in almost all major gorges. They inhabit elevations of 1,200 to 3,500 meters above sea level, in mixed deciduous forests, coniferous spruce forests, as well as in the subalpine and alpine zones,” the reserve said in a statement.

The reserve also noted that bears are more often seen on the southern mountain slopes, where the snow melts earlier and there is a better chance of finding food.