Elderly founder reflects on bond with taxidermied bear after controversial euthanasia in Kuusamo

Sulo Karjalainen, the 83-year-old founder of the Kuusamo Large Predator Center, has developed a unique bond with a taxidermied bear named Vyöti, who was very dear to him. Karjalainen recalls how Vyöti followed him everywhere like a puppy. In July 2022, the North Finland Regional Administrative Agency ordered the euthanasia of Vyöti due to the bear’s poor dental health and mobility issues.

Prior to Vyöti’s euthanasia, the center was frequently in the news due to alleged animal welfare violations and enclosure conditions. Later that year, the agency revoked the center’s zoological license, requiring the relocation or euthanasia of all animals, including bears, lynxes, wolves, reindeer, and a fox. However, an appeal to the administrative court altered this course.

The timeline of events includes:

– April 2022: Two bears escaped from the center, and one bit Karjalainen.
– May 2022: Reports surfaced about animal care violations from previous years.
– June 2022: Authorities considered shutting down the center as police launched an investigation into animal welfare.
– July 2022: The euthanasia of Vyöti was mandated.
– September 2022: The administrative agency rescinded the zoo license, insisting animals be transferred or euthanized by the end of October.

The center reopened to the public in late July 2023 after confirming that animal facilities met required standards. With new management under CEO Pasi Jäntti, the facility is working to improve animal welfare and has begun significant renovations to the enclosures, moving forward with oversight from authorities.

Karjalainen, who hopes to see the center continue even after his passing, dreams of eventually caring for another wolverine, highlighting a renewed focus on animal welfare and rehabilitation.