Man who rescued bear delighted at its new home
- Published
A former bear park worker has shared his delight over the relocation of Diego the bear.
Hanse Hansson, said he found the bear cub "abandoned and very skinny" in a Swedish forest in 2011.
Diego the bear was due to be put down until Wildwood Trust, a conservation charity, stepped in to bring the animal to the UK.
Mr Hansson decided to catch him and delivered him to Orsa Predator Park, where it was housed until late October.
Speaking about the rescue he said; "I think it was a mission impossible but I thought I should give it a try."
He added: "My brain said, 'don't do it', but my heart said 'do it'".
The bear was transported on Friday, via the Eurotunnel, to Devon Wildlife Park where he'll be housed over the winter.
Mr Hansson hopes to one day visit the UK to see Diego once again.
"I have a little bit in my heart for him - I hope one day I can visit him and give him a big hug," he said.
Plans are in place for the animal to eventually be relocated to Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park, near Ipswich.
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- Published4 November 2023