Ussuri brown bear

The Ussuri brown bear, also known as the Ezo brown bear or black grizzly bear, is a subspecies of the brown bear that inhabits regions such as Ussuri Krai, Sakhalin, Amur Oblast, Hokkaido, and North Korea. These bears are among the largest of their kind, sometimes approaching the Kodiak bear in size. Although they closely resemble the Kamchatkan brown bear, differences can be observed in their skull structures and coloration.

Interestingly, Ussuri brown bears exhibit some unique behaviors. For instance, mother bears with cubs may approach fishermen without causing any harm, likely as a strategy to avoid aggressive adult males. While their diet is predominantly vegetarian, they do occasionally hunt other animals. Depending on the region and season, their diet varies, and they make their dens in burrows.

Regrettably, these magnificent bears face significant threats from illegal hunting and habitat loss, with some populations listed as vulnerable or endangered. In Hokkaido, there have even been fatal bear attacks on humans. The Ainu people, indigenous to the region, hold these bears in high regard and include them in their religious festivals.

Ussuri brown bears also have to contend with Siberian tigers, as both predators sometimes clash, leading to fatalities on both sides. The bear's range spans across Russia, China, Japan, and North Korea. In some of these areas, conservation efforts are underway to protect and preserve the declining bear populations.