www.naturetrek.co.uk As French environmentalists pull out all the stops to find and save a bear cub after boar-hunters killed its mother, the last native female bear in the Pyrenees, wildlife enthusiasts will be relieved to hear that at least Finnish bears are thriving. Spot as many as 20 in just one night, on one of Naturetrek’s popular 4-day Brown Bear-watching holidays that operate throughout the summer months. It is now possible to book places on tours departing from London in 2005 throughout May, June, July and August.
Martinselkonen, just south of the Arctic Circle is the base for this long weekend, where a stay at a Wilderness Centre, lying in a quiet taiga forest along the Russian border, offers Naturetrek guests the option of spending one or two nights in a log cabin bear hide, for close-up viewing. With virtually 24-hour daylight, bear spotting opportunities are endless, so keen photographers will be in their element! As many as 20 Brown Bears have been sighted during one night! The secret of the hide’s success lies in its proximity to the great Russian taiga forests, where a combination of sparse human population and lack of hunting have allowed the large carnivores to thrive. Other mammals that inhabit the taiga include Wolverine, Wolf, European Lynx, Pine Marten and Red Squirrel and, although shy and elusive especially when bears are in the vicinity, are occasionally observed from the hide. In addition to afternoon and night time bear-watching, guests can enjoy guided walks amongst the forests, mires and lakesides, home to such avian specialities as Black and Three-toed Woodpecker, Siberian Jay and Siberian Tit. The holiday costs £695 p/p including scheduled flights, comfortable wilderness guesthouse accommodation, bear watching from log cabin with reclining seats, all meals and expertly guided viewing activities. |