TWO polar bears have joined a popular wildlife park as part of a programme to conserve a threatened species.
Flocke, age 16, and Tala, age four, have joined Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park.
The polar bears have been welcomed in by renowned farmer and conservationist Jimmy Doherty, joining from Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
The pair join rescued polar bear, Ewa, who was saved in October 2023 from a disbanded zoo in Sweden.
The move to the venue near Essex is part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Ex-situ Programme, whose aim is conserving and safeguarding healthy populations of threatened species and animals in captivity.
They have joined a multi-functional enclosure, The Lost Lands of the Tundra, which incorporates other tundra species including reindeer, arctic wolves, and arctic foxes.
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.
The ‘tundra’ habitat is an extension of Suffolk-based Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, a regional centre of excellence for the conservation of British rare breeds and exotic species.
The aim is to conserve and rescue rare, protected, and endangered species, whilst promoting a wider understanding of the natural world and inspiring future generations to support and protect wildlife, both native and exotic.
Mr Doherty, founder and chief executive of the park, said: “I am delighted at the arrival of these two amazing polar bears: Flocke and Tala.
“Flocke, who was hand reared at Nuremberg Zoo, and her daughter Tala, are settling in incredibly well.
“We are so proud to be their guardians and celebrate the contribution we, and other worldwide organisations are making, in one of the most important international conservation efforts of our generation.”
The arrival of Flocke and Tala 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.
Mr Doherty is a patron of the charity and has forever been passionate about nature and farming.
For more information, visit jimmysfarm.com.
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