The Bearmother from Sarek – In memory of Rapa

Rapa was the first brown bear in Europe to be tagged with a transmitter around her neck to provide more information about how wild brown bears live in Swedish mountains. Born in Sarek national park, a safe haven for what was once a dwindling bear population, Rapa has had seven litters of cubs since she was tagged in 1988. This is a unique documentary following Rapa and her cubs over a four-year period.

Through wildlife photographer Hans Östbom’s superb images, we get a close-up look at these shy predators. Studies of Rapa and her offspring have taught naturalists much about the wild brown bear, whose existence is still threatened even in the sanctuary of Sarek due to poachers. Today only one of Rapa’s 16 cubs remains in the area and has cubs of her own.