Diego the bear arrives in Devon ahead of move to Suffolk next year
He'll be hibernating at Wildwood Trust before moving to a new home in Suffolk
Last updated 5th Nov 2023
A brown bear has been rescued from a wildlife park that was set to close and is now getting ready to hibernate in Devon, ahead of a move to Suffolk next year.
Diego was the sole surviving bear at the park in Sweden, and there were concerns he could have to be euthanised.
But Jimmy Doherty, the owner of Jimmy's Farm near Wherstead stepped in, and will be providing a forever home for him.
A fundraiser to pay for a new enclosure for Diego has so far raised close to £60,000.
Jimmy asked Wildwood Trust in Devon to provide a temporary home for him for the winter, while his new enclosure's built.
Diego arrived on Thursday. The plan was to take him by ferry, but Storm Ciaran put paid to that.
Instead he was transported from Sweden by Le Shuttle!
Diego is expected to go into torpor, a natural bear behaviour in which bears sleep deeply for weeks or months with only short periods of activity in between.
Wildwood is one of the few wildlife parks in the UK to encourage this natural behaviour, ensuring Diego's well-being and comfort during the winter months.
Jimmy Doherty says, "Wildwood Trust are experts in their field so I am delighted Diego will spend his torpor there over the winter period. It is a great environment for him and allows us to complete essential work of his future home at Jimmy’s Farm."