Unbelievable facts
Trainers Svetlana and Yuri Panteleenko seem like an ordinary family until they introduce their 23-year-old adopted son, the brown bear Stepan.
They're used to doing everything together, from playing in the yard to watching TV on the sofa.
Stepan was only 3 months old when Panteleyenko's family took him into their family. The bear was found in terrible condition by hunters after he lost his mother.
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Since then, the clubfoot and the Panteleyenko family have been living together for 23 years.
Russian bear Stepan
Since Stepan was domesticated from a young age, he has a very mild temperament. At any opportunity, he likes to hug his parents, and in the evenings he likes to cuddle up with them on the sofa.
“He is very fond of people and is very sociable — despite what people might think, he is not aggressive at all. Stepan never bit us,” Svetlana said.
The only thing Svetlana and Yuri can complain about is Stepan's good appetite. Stepan is 2.20 meters tall and weighs 136 kg.
He eats 25 kg of fish a day, as well as lots of eggs and vegetables, but his favorite treat is a can of condensed milk. Stepan was never given raw meat, perhaps to avoid awakening his predatory instinct.
Stepan the Bear and his family
Yuri and Svetlana taught Stepan a number of tricks, and they have already performed in various performances, mainly for children. The bear also participated in several professional photo shoots with female models and children, and all of them noted his good disposition.
Stepan has been seen in several Russian films, including “The Edge” by Alexey Uchitel and “Tsar” by Pavel Lungin.
Yuri Panteleyenko himself said that Stepan is one of the few animals that are completely devoid of aggression.
He is always happy and playful, and he has never been aggressive.