Ursus arctos lasiotus is a subspecies of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) native to northeastern Asia, including parts of eastern Russia, northeastern China, and the Korean Peninsula. It is commonly referred to as the Ussuri brown bear. The genus name Ursus is Latin for “bear,” while the species name arctos derives from the Greek word for bear, reflecting the long-standing recognition of this large carnivore in human cultures. The subspecies epithet lasiotus combines Greek elements meaning “hairy ear,” referring to the dense fur around the ears characteristic of this regional population. This bear inhabits forested mountain regions, river valleys, and mixed woodland habitats where seasonal food availability shapes its omnivorous diet.

The Ussuri brown bear is one of the larger Asian brown bear populations, with males capable of reaching substantial body mass. Like other brown bears, it has a powerful build, a large head with a slightly concave facial profile, and thick fur that varies from dark brown to nearly black. It is an adaptable omnivore, feeding on a wide variety of foods including berries, nuts, roots, insects, fish, and small mammals. In coastal and riverine areas it may feed on spawning fish, while in forested environments it consumes large quantities of plant material during the warmer months to build fat reserves for winter hibernation.

Historically, parts of Ursus arctos lasiotus have been used as food or traditional medicinal materials in some regions of East Asia. Bear meat has occasionally been consumed in certain local culinary traditions, though it is not widely eaten compared with more common livestock. The meat is high in protein and fat, particularly in animals preparing for or emerging from hibernation. Like other wild game, it must be thoroughly cooked to avoid potential parasites such as Trichinella species. The Ainu people traditionally hunted, consumed, and revered brown bears (kimun kamuy) as gods visiting the human realm. Bear meat was a divine food source to them, and they would raise, sacrifice, and eat bears in order to partake in their divinity and send their spirits back to the divine world.

Chemically and nutritionally, bear meat contains typical mammalian proteins, lipids, and micronutrients such as iron and B vitamins. Bear fat has historically been rendered into oil used in cooking or traditional remedies. However, the use and trade of products derived from brown bears are heavily regulated in many countries because of wildlife protection laws and conservation efforts. As a result, modern culinary or commercial use is limited and subject to strict legal frameworks depending on regional wildlife management policies.