- Video shows Jimbo the bear hugging Jim Kowalczik in Otisville, New York
- Jim and wife Susan have looked after 22-year-old bear since he was cub
- The couple look after 11 bears at their orphanage for wild animals
By Emily Chan
Incredible footage shows a massive brown bear hugging his human best friend at a wildlife rescue centre.
The video shows Jimbo, a 22-year-old Kodiak bear, cuddling his namesake Jim Kowalczik at the Orphaned Wildlife Centre in Otisville, New York state.
Jim, 57, and his wife Susan have looked after Jimbo, who is also known as Jimmy, since he was a cub and refer to the 1,400lb (635kg) animal as their ‘son’.
The video shows the giant brown bear with his arms wrapped around Jim as they embrace.
The pair rub their faces together, with the bear nuzzling his human friend.
Jim then goes round to give Jimbo a back rub, which the bear clearly seems to enjoy.
Speaking about his relationship with Jimbo previously, Jim said: ‘Jimmy is my best friend. It doesn’t get any better than that. He loves you just for you.’
‘He’s very gentle but sometimes he doesn’t know his own strength – like if you’re trying to walk away he will grab your clothes or shorts and pull you back to him.
‘Think of the strongest person you know and magnify it by a thousand times – that’s how strong they are.
‘The bears are like our children. That’s how much we love them and they give a lot back to you too. They love you just as much.’
Jim and Susan look after 11 bears in the orphanage for wild animals on their 100 acre estate.
