A trip to the Taiga Forest in Finland
Traveling to the Taiga forest in northeastern Finland to photograph bears has always been one of my favorite activities. There's something special about being in nature, far from the city's noise, and having the opportunity to observe these majestic animals in their natural habitat. However, this trip was a mixed experience, filled with both delight and disappointment.
To increase our chances of seeing bears, we visited two different locations during our trip. Our expectations were high, especially for spotting bear cubs, and fortunately, we were not disappointed in that regard. Watching the yearlings play with each other was truly a highlight, creating magical scenes that etched themselves into our memories and cameras. These playful cubs reminded us of nature's beauty and simplicity, providing us with many unforgettable images.
Despite these fantastic moments with the bear cubs, this trip was one of the most disappointing I have experienced, particularly compared to my previous visits. Unfortunately, the focus of the companies offering hides has shifted significantly towards maximizing their profits and scaling up the business. The previously unique feeling of being in an exclusive and pristine environment now feels lost. Nowadays, they accommodate as many customers as possible, and more hides have been built to meet the demand. This increase in scale has led to noticeable stress on both the forest and the animals. The silence and tranquility that once characterized these places have been replaced by a more commercialized and overexploited environment.
Another change I noticed was that when the feeding ended late in the evening, all wildlife disappeared and did not return at night or in the morning. This might have been a coincidence, but it felt like another indicator of how the increased commercialization is affecting the animals' natural behaviors. Previously, you could observe the bears throughout the night, but this time, it was as if the forest emptied of life as soon as the food was gone.
This trip has given me much to ponder. Despite the fantastic moments with the bear cubs and the unforgettable beauty of the Taiga forest, I can't help but feel a certain sadness over how tourism's increased commercialization is impacting nature. I hope that future trips can offer a balance between giving people the opportunity to experience the wonders of nature and preserving it sustainably.
