There’s a great backstory to this bear sanctuary 33km south of Kuusamo on the Kajaani road. Rescued as helpless orphans, the bears were nursed by their ‘father’ Sulo Karjalainen, who then refused to have them put down (they can’t return to the wild) when government funding dried up. He casually takes them fishing and walking in the forest, but you’ll meet them in their cages here; it’s thrilling to see these impressive, intelligent animals up close and appreciate their different personalities. There are also lynx, foxes and reindeer.
