News in Brief Animals

Finland’s brown bears on surprise fast track to recover diversity

Genetic variety rising, possibly with help from stray Russian bears

Brown Bear

GOOD NEWS BEARS  Brown bears in Finland are shuffling back from near extinction and startling geneticists with the speed of genetic changes.

Alexander Kopatz

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

Once near extinction, Finland’s brown bears are defying expectations in how quickly they are regaining the genetic underpinnings of a healthy population.