A rare white bear was recently photographed near the Russian border by Veijo Toivoniemi, an avid nature photographer.
Ilpo Kojola, a research professor at the Natural Resources Center, confirmed this extraordinary sighting and described the bear as “very rare” and “special.”
Toivoniemi captured the unique bear in Kuhmo Lentiira, a popular bear-watching area. “It caught my eye very suddenly when it came to the area,” he said.
Kuhmo Lentiira is known for its abundant bear population, and specialized booths have been set up for enthusiasts to observe these magnificent creatures. Despite the facilities, bears in the area remain wild and untamed, often startling visitors.
Toivoniemi noted the importance of silence while photographing bears to avoid scaring them away. “I knew that such a bear had been seen in the area before, but no pictures had been taken. I was fortunate to have better conditions this time, and it came down to good luck,” he explained.
The white bear stayed in the area for about 10–15 minutes, allowing Toivoniemi to capture his remarkable shots.
The sighting was particularly memorable for Toivoniemi, who has been photographing nature for 17 years and even writes a column for a local newspaper. “Yes, it was enchanting. This is probably the only time I’ll see such a bear in my life. An unforgettable experience,” he shared.
Despite his extensive experience, Toivoniemi admitted he couldn’t definitively explain the bear’s unique coloration. He described the bear as an “exceptionally colored individual.”
Professor Kojola confirmed the rarity of the sighting, even on an international scale. “The bear is not albino but intensely pale.
I don’t remember seeing a blonde bear anywhere,” he remarked. “Maybe there are some of these in the world, but it is a very exceptionally colored individual.”
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