This is the 786th most frequent Estonian word.
elab
"Elab" means "lives" (resides or exists).
The word 'elab' here is the third-person singular form of the verb 'elama' (to live), used to state a person's current residence.
Ta elab Tallinnas.
He/she lives in Tallinn.
'Elab' in this context refers to the habitual residence of the animal 'bear' in its natural habitat.
Karu elab metsas.
The bear lives in the forest.
The word 'elab' denotes residing in a particular area (the countryside) while providing additional situational context.