Breathtaking images have revealed the real bear necessities of life as cubs in Russia’s Far East bared their teeth in a play fight, threw rocks and watched their parents catch salmon.
The brown bears were spotted on a family day out at the Kurile Lake in the volcanic region of Kamchatka Peninsula earlier today.
The cubs, which will grow up to 10ft tall, frolicked in the water, posed in mock defiance in play fights, and lazed around on the shore of the lake.
They watched and learned from the adult bears who skilfully plucked salmon from the water before tucking in to the tasty meal. Up to 25 per cent of all wild Pacific salmon are from the Kamchatka peninsula, according to the charity, the Wild Salmon Center.
The Kamchatka brown bear is one of the world’s largest bear species, weighing around 110 stone – nearly three quarters of a ton.
Despite their size, Kamchatka bears are generally not dangerous to humans, with only one per cent of encounters resulting in attacks.
Family fun :The cubs frolicked in the water, posed in mock defiance in play fights, and lazed around on the shore of the lake
Beared teeth: This playful pair snapped their jaws at each other in the water with a beautiful mountainous backdrop
Mock defiance: A cub (left) stood on its hind legs, perhaps thinking about how it may one day grow to 10ft tall. In the summer these bears feed on blueberries, crowberries, and salmon (right), but in autumn, they eat nuts and fish
The brown bears were spotted at the Kurile Lake in the volcanic region of Kamchatka Peninsula earlier today (shown above)
Lazy day: This bear looked docile as it relaxed on its back and stretched its arms in the air. Kamchatka brown bears are generally not dangerous to humans, and only one per cent of encounters result in an attack
Snack time! A deft adult used its mighty paws and claws to grab a tasty salmon from the water. Up to 25 per cent of all wild Pacific salmon are from the Kamchatka peninsula, according to the charity, the Wild Salmon Center
Furry fumble: One young cub tried its hand at salmon fishing but pulled a rock out of the lake instead, to its disappointment
Round two: The boxing bears circled each other before launching more play attacks
You talking to me? One youngster regretted its decision to wind up its bigger pal, which rounded on it aggressively
Bearing witness: They watched other bears skilfully pluck salmon from the water before tucking in to the tasty meal
Bear hug! These two pals looked like they paused the fighting to have a cuddle. What a pair of big softies
Dancing bear: One cub wiggled its hips and flicked its paws as if to do jazz hands (left) – but acted shy (right) after the show
Searching for supper: This hungry trio waded out to the shallows to grab a tasty salmon snack
Don’t fur-get me! This adorable cub wasn’t taking no for an answer when it asked its mother for attention
Bear necessities: These brown bears were enjoying life’s simple pleasures as they dozed by the lakeside
Fearsome: Although this duo were only playing, most of us would rather not be on the receiving end of those claws and teeth
Time out: This bear, with a distinctive white collar, took respite while its companion carried on fishing for salmon. The first Europeans who went to Kamchatka in the 19th century, although surprised by the number and size of bears there, observed that they were relatively harmless compared to their Siberian counterparts
Bearly awake: This Kamchatka brown bear dozed at the lakeside after a tough day of salmon fishing