A HEARTWARMING POLAR BEAR REUNION AT JIMMY’S FARM & WILDLIFE PARK

We are delighted to welcome a female polar bear called Hope, to join rescued polar bear, Ewa, and her companions Flocke and Tala at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park.

This is a truly heartwarming family reunion. Hope is joining Ewa, her previous companion from Sweden, as well as her mother Flocke and sister Tala, who she will meet for the first time.

Hope’s integration promises to deepen our understanding of polar bear behaviours, particularly how these magnificent animals recognise and interact with their kin.

The team at JFWP are eager to see whether the bears recognise each other.

Stevie Sheppard, Park Director at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park explained further:

“Hope’s addition to our group is not just a joyous occasion but also a significant opportunity for scientific observation. This reunion could provide invaluable insights into the social structures of polar bears, helping us to enhance conservation efforts and ensure their survival. We look forward to observing the dynamic between Hope and her family and are optimistic about the contributions this reunion can make to ongoing research.”

Hope has joined JFWP from Peak Wildlife Park, where she lived with her two male cubs, Nanook and Noori. The mother and two cubs joined Peak Wildlife Park from Orsa Predator Park in August of 2023. The cubs, Nanook and Noori, were born at Orsa in November 2021 and their mother, Hope, was born in Antibes, France in 2014.

A spokesperson for Peak Wildlife Park said:

“Everyone here at the park will be sad to see Hope go, during her time here she captured the hearts of Animal Keepers and guests alike. Her move to Jimmy’s was always going to be the next part of her story, and we look forward to what the future holds for her.”

Hope has joined Ewa, Flocke and Tala in a multi-functional reserve called ‘The Lost Lands of the Tundra’ which was built with Born Free’s recommendations and world experts in polar bear care and behaviour to ensure the reserve meets the highest standards of welfare.

The Lost Lands Of The Tundra intertwines with the existing natural landscape and incorporates woodland and natural springs [polar bears are classified as marine mammals and have three large pools in their new home].

A shrinking polar icecap and shortening polar ice season has pitched the species to the forefront of conservation concerns, so much so that representatives of the IUCN/SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group and the conservation group Polar Bears International now feel that the modern zoo community has an increasingly important role to play, which includes keeping and managing polar bears within collections long term.

This is the second piece of good news for the Wildlife Park this week. On 27th June 2024, we announced that we are now proud members of WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums).

Park Director, Stevie Sheppard said:

“I am honoured that Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park are now members of WAZA, joining a community of leading zoos and aquariums across the world. It is important to contribute to conservation; working to stop species decline on a global level.”

WAZA CEO, Dr Martín Zordan said:

“WAZA is pleased to welcome Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park as a new member. The institution has grown over the past few years to become an award-winning zoo, dedicated to ensuring every animal and team member are given care, consideration, and the space to thrive.”

Jimmy’s vision

Jimmy’s Farm began on an old dairy farm on the outskirts of Ipswich. Jimmy dreamt of a full restoration, returning the totally derelict farm back to a fully working, thriving livestock farm.

Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park is now an award-winning Wildlife Park, rare breed farm, restaurant and wedding venue based in the heart of Suffolk. It is home to world class facilities such as Europe’s largest polar bear reserve. From pigs to polar bears the park is a centre of excellence for British rare breeds as well as camels, primates, tapir and crocodiles amongst other animals.

Jimmy’s vision and belief that the natural world should be accessible and available to all is an ongoing but hopeful, promising and encouraging mission.