Tensions at Kuusamo Large Predator Center as CEO and board resign
The Kuusamo Large Predator Center is facing internal turmoil after CEO Pasi Jäntti and the company’s board resigned, leaving founder Sulo Karjalainen, 85, in control of operations. The center, which reopened to visitors on July 6, has been at the center of long-standing disputes over safety and animal welfare.
Jäntti, who confirmed his resignation took effect in May, cited disagreements over the maintenance of the center’s enclosures as the primary reason for stepping down. "I have not been able to take responsibility for things that I could not implement according to requirements," he told Yle. He expressed concerns about the condition of the facilities, particularly the risk of bears escaping, recalling previous incidents in 2022 when two bears broke out, one of which attacked Karjalainen. A third bear escaped later that same year.
"If old cars are repaired with old clamps, nothing good will come of it," Jäntti said, describing his frustration over what he perceived as inadequate repairs (Helsingin Sanomat). He added that he could no longer ensure the safety of employees and visitors without the authority to address structural issues. Despite the tensions, Jäntti denied any personal dispute with Karjalainen and stated that the animals at the center are currently in good condition, with no recent interventions by authorities.
Karjalainen, however, maintains that the center is operating smoothly. "The first visitors have already come to see the animals. The facilities are in order," he told Yle. The center had been closed during early summer but resumed operations this month.
Animal welfare convictions and past issues
The Large Predator Center has faced repeated scrutiny over animal welfare. In 2022 and 2023, the Regional State Administrative Agency identified multiple deficiencies, including holes in bear enclosures, sharp spikes on fences, and a lack of stimuli for the animals. The center was temporarily closed during those summers but regained its zoo license following a court ruling in autumn 2023.
Both Karjalainen and Jäntti were convicted of animal welfare offenses in 2025. The court found that a bear cub had been kept in a small cage in a utility room, causing the animal stress and boredom. While the prosecutor sought additional penalties for other alleged neglect, these charges were dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
Karjalainen received a three-month suspended prison sentence, while Jäntti was ordered to pay 45 day-fines. The court did not impose a ban on Karjalainen keeping animals, as the prosecutor had requested, ruling that he no longer held a responsible position in the center’s operations (Helsingin Sanomat).
Former employees had previously raised concerns about safety and animal welfare, as reported by Helsingin Sanomat in 2022. The center remained open to visitors last summer and the summer before, despite its troubled history.
