We receive a lot of questions about Denmark’s nature. A frequent question is whether there are bears in Denmark?
The answer is no – but was once upon a time…
The brown bear (Ursus arctos) migrated to Denmark about 13,500 years ago. The warmer climate caused the seas to rise, and the previously large mainland area that included what is now Denmark was transformed into an island kingdom that resembles much of the Denmark we know today. This also meant that the bears’ hunting grounds were reduced, while the possibility of new immigration from outside was limited.
Human hunting of bears continued – and contributed to drive the bear from the land we know today as present-day Denmark.
The youngest, known bone finds from – presumably – “Danish” bears come from two settlements on Djursland – about 6,500 years ago.
Bears in Denmark have thus left no trace on Danish soil for 6,500 years.
