Our Big Bear Family

MANY parents struggle to maintain discipline in their home. But spare a thought for Jim and Susan Kowalczik whose main charge is a huge 1400lb Kodiak brown bear. The couple look after the 9ft giant at their orphanage where they have dedicated their lives to rescuing and releasing injured animals. They now care for 11 bears, including Kodiak brown bears, Syrian bears and black bears on their 100 acre estate in Otisville, New York. Most were rescued as cubs from breeding programs or nature reserves that closed down.

Videographer / director: Ruaridh Connellan
Producer: John Balson, Ellie Winstanley
Editor: Jack Stevens, Ian Phillips

For more of the amazing side of life:

[matthews]

watching him cry over his dead bears is so sad

[julijakublicka]

Robber: breaks into their house
11 bears: so you have chosen death

[jellytheraccoon]

I’m originally from Middletown NY, close to Otisville. My Dad is a mason that had to do a job for Jim and Susan around 2018. As a single father, he took me and my brother to their plot of land and I was lucky enough to get to hand feed these bears and see how gentle they really are. I was about 10 at the time and now as a 15 year old I can only remember how great of an experience this was.

[isaGualteros]

May God protect these two noble human beings for taking care of the bears and may they never harm them. Just seeing its size is scary but incredible at the same time.

[kingstonpierce]

Sadly Jimmy, the 1400 lb bear, passed away in 2018. RIP Jimmy. They must have been so heartbroken.

[bojackhorseman]

You can tell how genuine this guy is when he couldn't even talk about burying some of his bear family.

[Cagebreaker]

It made me cry when they got emotional about the bears they have lost, you can see the pain their faces and hear it in their voices. Those bears are their children, so it’s no different from the pain of talking about lost children. 😢

[derekbuxton]

Nothing beats a big bear hug….literally.

[jahiemspruill]

All I know is nobody's going to rob their house

[Ivana_Reina]

Bears: Hey, welcome to our home. We own two humans and a pool.

[tOoAtEa]

This is THE MOST impressive human\animal connection I have ever seen! Bravo!! What an AWESOME family you have!

[Wezley]

Its just the Bear necessities the simple Bear necessities.

[SpookShow-dpyf]

Guy: *scolding bear* HEY, you know better than that. Bear: Sorry, dad

[uncleterry]

“Go and play with the neighbour’s kids”

The neighbour’s kids:

[woodsidepark]

So many beautiful moments. Such a sincere couple. She speaks in such a heartfelt way about her husband.

[peterclarke]

I've been following their channel for a while, but never seen this...

Jim's reaction to talking about their losses... God dammit that crushed my heart. It's OK, Jim. I wish more humans were like you, sir.

[led_spirals]

Bear: rips guy in half
guy: hey, you know better than that

[howboutthosechiefs]

He is such a fearless guy (and she is a fearless woman) but he starts crying when talking about the dead bears. Thats ture love and dedication. Awesome.

[erikahahn]

Jimmy is magnificent. Glad the bears found a loving home with this couple.

[BreeAnnaMarie]

This is absolutely amazing!! The bond they share with these majestic animals truly warms my heart. 🐻❤