A Photographer Captured Something So Rare, No One Will Probably See It Again

It’s common knowledge that certain animals, like wolves and coyotes, rely on their packs for survival. Not only does this type of interaction provide the animals with the backup they need in order to hunt down their next meal, but it establishes a sort of hierarchy by which they can develop relationships with one another.

However, not all animals thrive in a social pack environment. In fact, some—like bears—are notoriously solitary, and they only come together briefly to mate. That’s just the way things are sometimes!

That’s what makes this recent discovery by a Finnish photographer so stunning. When he saw two animals exploring the wild forests of Finland together, he couldn’t believe his eyes. It was like something out of a fairy tale!

While wolves are known to live in packs, bears are typically solitary animals. So when wildlife photographer Lassi Rautiainen discovered this unlikely pair in the wilderness of northern Finland, he knew he was witnessing a beautiful and rare phenomenon: a lone, female gray wolf living alongside a male brown bear.

For the 10 days he spent observing them, Lassi witnessed the young bear and wolf meet up and spend time together. Lassi couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Not only did they hang out together…

…But they also shared their kills! For two apex predators—who are usually so territorial about their food—to actually be willing to share the prey that they stalked and killed with each other was just extraordinary! Why did they behave in this way? Lassi had a guess…

This behavior is extremely unusual in predators of different species. Animals have, of course, evolved to hunt for the benefit of their own species’ survival—not to befriend one another. Yet Lassi’s photographs made it undeniable: these animals were, indeed, friends.

To an outside observer, watching the bear approach the wolf with its latest kill dangling from its mouth would seem like an invitation to battle—not an invitation to a shared dinner. However, that couldn’t be further from what happened!