Animal world of Russia is rich. Animals can live everywhere: in villages, in cities, in towns. Wild animals of Russia live in forests or other places, which weren't achieved by human's hand.
Territory of Russia is huge, so it explains the abundance of animals, such as reindeer in the tundra and tiger in Amur region. Bears are kind of animals, hiding in forests near rivers and lakes - this location is good for them to hunt for elks, living near. Also, there are much other animals in forests: hares, wolves and foxes, which live on its same parts, that's why we can easily find them together in many Russian folk tales.
In the region I live I can see wild animals only at the Zoo, even there they can't be called wild, but I heard about many of them from different stories. The favorite heroes of such fables often are foxes and hares, pigs and wolves - most seen animals in Russia. I think, we get a usage to name animals strong or sly due to their role in biologycal chain and possibility to beat them. Example: bear is predator, let it be mighty but silly to help main hero to trick it.