Sulo Karjalainen, the proprietor of Kuusamo Large Carnivore Centre in Kuusamo, Finland, has become locally famous as the “bearman” due to the incredibly close bond he has with the fully grown brown bears that he raised from tiny cubs.

The 73-year-old runs Kuusamo Large Carnivore Centre with his brother Jalo, which has been home to more than 20 orphaned brown bears. After working on a research project studying Finnish carnivores, Sulo was asked if he would mind taking in some cubs. And over the years a deep bond has grown up between Sulo and his furry companions.