25.11.2025 by Mervi, Photos by Marko Junttila
The 25th of November 2016 was a happy day in the Ranua Wildlife Park. Polar bear lady Venus gave birth to a tiny cub. The park announced the news only in January when the cub had made it through the first critical weeks. What a happy day that was for me!
Today you are exactly 10 years old. Time flies faster than I want ….
The cub was a boy and in mid March Venus decided to present her precious baby to the media and to the visitors.
Sisu was immediately very interested in the surroundings. In this photo it seems that he’s checking that the walls of the enclosure are strong enough. 🙂
It was snowing during Sisu’s first outing so Venus had a perfect timing for the presentation of her son.
The little fur ball immediately charmed everybody and I certainly fell in love with this sweetie pie.
Cuter than cute!
Living in Ranua in north of Finland Sisu could enjoy the snow until late May.
He made snow balls that were almost bigger than him. 🙂
Tender moments with mama in the Winter ….
…. and in the Summer
The ice was thick enough to carry the weight of a polar bear. When this photo was taken Sisu already looked quite impressive ….
…. but still a cute little cubbie! I love those paws!
This photo is one my absolute favourites. The snow on the licorice nose – isn’t that cute!
Salmon is a polar bear’s best friend – next to mama, of course …. 🙂
The long Winter in Ranua is very suitable for polar bears.
What a beautiful photo of a mother and her son!
Sisu grew bigger and bigger and so the day came when it was time for Venus to kiss her son goodbye.
In mid December 2020 Sisu left Ranua and came to the Yorkshire Wildlife park. I’m very glad he found a good home and loving keepers (rangers) there. Thanks to Ralph, Sheila, Philip and Pat I’m still able to follow my Sisu’s life.
Sisu has a good life in YWP where he has good polar bear friends, too.
Sisu with Nobby
Flocke’s son Yuma is also a very nice chap!
Sisu is now as big as his papa Manasse was but he’s still ‘my baby bear’.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, MY SWEET SISU! Always be a happy and healthy polar bear boy!
Liebe Mervi,
Fotos vom süßen Vikinger als Baby zu seinem Geburtsag zu zeigen, ist eine gute Idee. Ich erinnere mich noch gut an die bezaubernden Fotos, wo Sisu den Frühling nach dem langen Winter entdeckt.
Nun ist er ein erwachsener Bär und hat im YWP ein schönes Zuhause mit lieben Kumpels gefunden, die wir auch alle als Jungtiere von Giovanna und Flocke kennen.
Happy Birthday Sisu!
Dear Mervi
Aus deinem kleinen Bärchen ist ein
riesiger Bär geworden – ich wünsche
Sisu alles Gute zum Geburtstag ! 🙂
Deine Chris
Dear Mervi!
Thank you for this heartfelt birthday tribute to Sisu, the Finnish Viking and your darling, who despite his enormous size will always remain your sweet baby bear. Every polar bear cub is a precious treasure, and once you’ve lost your heart to one, it belongs to it forever. Marko’s photos of little Sisu are adorable, and anyone who hasn’t fallen head over heels in love with them has no heart!
Hugs
Anke
Dear Mervi!
Sisu was a cute baby, now he is a huge bear. It is great that he lives in the wonderful zoo.
Hugs
Ludmila
Dear Mervi
I am glad that Sisu has found a home here in England. His black skin wound makes him a valuable teaching help for the Rangers at YWP in answering the question:
What colour is a Polar Bear@s skin?
Aus dem knuddeligen Eisbärbsby Sisu ist ein stattlicher Eisbär geworden!!
Ob sich Sisu noch an den Winter in Finnland erinnert….❄❄❄❄🐻❄️❄❄❄❄
Ich wünsche Sisu alles Gute für das neue Lebensjahr, vorallem, dass er immer eisbärenstarke Gesellschaft um sich hat und gut mit seinen Kumpels auskommt!!!🐻❄️🐻❄️✊