DIEGO IS HOME

Jimmy Doherty, one of the country’s best-known farmers and conservationists, has rescued a brown bear called Diego, from a zoo closing down in Sweden, and welcomed him to his forever home at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park after he has been in torpor at Wildwood Trust.

Diego’s home is at the Suffolk-based Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, a regional centre of excellence for the conservation of British native breeds and exotic species. The aim is to rescue protected and endangered species, whilst promoting a wider understanding of the natural world and inspiring future generations to support and protect wildlife.

Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park were made aware of the imminent closure of Orsa Predator Park in Sweden that has recently been sold to developers. The staff in Sweden were ordered to dispense of all animals & any that could not be removed were to be put to sleep. In October 2023 Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park and its official charity, Space for the Wild, embarked on a mission to save Diego, the last bear left at the disbanded Swedish zoo. The park were overwhelmed by the public support who donated over £60,000 to the charity, to bring him to the UK.

Jimmy Doherty, founder and CEO of Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park was delighted at the safe arrival of Diego:

“I couldn’t sit there and do nothing, knowing that Diego was going to be put to sleep. It’s just not right. I am over the moon that he is safely here, at his forever home, and incredibly proud of all my team and also the public who helped us get here by donating to Diego’s cause. This is a marvellous achievement – to save the life of a remarkable bear.”

Building his forever home was a race against time and Diego needed a place to sleep whilst he entered torpor (a type of hibernation) over Winter. Wildwood Trust has an incredible reputation for its work with European Brown Bears and stepped in to accommodate Diego, in Devon, by offering him a place to sleep.

Stevie Sheppard, Park Director at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park was overjoyed saying:

“Seeing him walk out of his crate into his home was one of the highlights of my career. From watching the tears on his keepers’ faces at the thought of losing Diego, to him now being here at his forever home – I can’t explain the joy. My team of experts are excited to get to know him, providing him with world class care. Not only is this a milestone for us but it helps us educate the public on the role of brown bears in the ecosystem.”

Diego’s story is one of hope, strength and unwavering commitment to save the life of a bear whose time was running out. Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park and Space for the Wild are delighted to welcome you to see Diego on 28th March.

The arrival of Diego coincides with the launch of Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park’s official charity, Space For The Wild. The charity will work hard to protect the planet, create habitats, push for regenerative farming, rescue, and rehabilitate wildlife. Jimmy is a patron of said charity and has forever been passionate about nature and farming. At 16, he was the youngest ever Assistant Entomologist at the Mole Hall Wildlife Park in Walden. After gaining a degree in Zoology, Jimmy worked at the Entomology Department at London’s Natural History Museum before moving on to Coventry University where he researched for a Doctorate in Entomology, and taught Animal Ecology and Animal Philosophy to undergraduate students.