Jimmy's Farm polar bear Hope dies after operation

Hope the polar bear has died following a "vital dental procedure"

A polar bear has died at a wildlife park after undergoing a dental procedure, it has been announced.

Hope joined three other polar bears, including her mother and sister, at Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park, near Ipswich, last year.

The 11-year-old bear, born in France, was moved from Peak Wildlife Park in Staffordshire to Suffolk after her long-time home at a zoo in Sweden closed.

In a statement, Jimmy's Farm said it was "deeply saddened to announce the loss of Hope, our much-loved bear, who passed away following a vital dental procedure".

The wildlife park has described its 16-acre (6.5ha) enclosure as Europe's largest polar bear enclosure, which is home to Ewa - Hope's previous companion at Sweden's Orsa Predator Park, her mother Flocke and sister Tala.

In a social media post on X, the park said Hope's operation was carried out by a "highly experienced" team of seven veterinary surgeons, two veterinary nurses and members of its animal care staff.

"Despite their best efforts, sadly Hope did not recover," it said.

"While the outcome was not what any of us had hoped for, it reflects the reality that, in zoological and conservation work, animals often require complex veterinary interventions to maintain their quality of life.

"Hope's passing is a profound loss for our park and conservation community."

On social media it added in reply to a post about the other bears' welfare that they "continue to thrive in our reserve under the expert care of our dedicated team" and the park would "honour Hope's legacy" through them.

The farm, operated by TV presenter Jimmy Doherty, started taking in polar bears in 2023.

It said its first arrival Ewa would have been put down if it had not been able to offer her home when Orsa Predator Park closed.

Doherty said the wooded bear reserve cost almost £1m to build, while last year it was announced the park had started researching if Suffolk could become a lasting refuge for polar bears in the face of climate change.

It said it was a common misconception that the species could only thrive in extremely cold environments.

However, questions have been raised of Britain's suitability for polar bears.

Previously, wildlife charity Born Free's Chris Lewis said: "The zoo industry must remove their blinkers and accept that the welfare needs of polar bears cannot be met in captivity and humanely bring this practice to its long-awaited end."