New pictures of Ewa, the polar bear, at Jimmy's Farm

I went to visit her last week at the farm and wildlife park (JFWP) on the outskirts of Ipswich where they have been developing their world class exhibit “The Lost Lands of the Tundra”, incorporating the largest polar bear reserve in Europe.  

Animal ranger Will Shortridge with Ewa (Image: John Boyle)

As many readers will recall, her unexpected journey to Suffolk started with a request for help from Scandanavia.

Jimmy's were made aware of the imminent closure of Orsa Predator Park in Sweden that had been sold to developers.

The staff in Sweden had been ordered to dispense with all animals and any that could not be removed were to be put to sleep. Jimmy's Farm knew they had no other choice but to help. 

Ewa at the lake (Image: John Boyle)

Fast forward to October 2023 and Ewa, the Polar bear, found her forever home at JFWP.

She has joined the UK’s largest pack of Arctic wolves and a group of Arctic fox brothers in a development that has open pastures, beautiful woodland and incorporates deep ponds and lakes.

Arctic foxes are Ewa's neighbours (Image: John Boyle)

The aim is to highlight the importance of one of the world’s most beautiful but fastest disappearing habitats.

Rather than dividing their collection based on geographical location, as is the norm, they have arranged the land based on natural habitats.

This brings together cohesively their charity, Space for the Wild, future conservation plans and creates an exciting point of difference from existing collections. 

Why the tundra?

Tundra lands are one of Earth’s coldest, harshest biomes.

The name tundra comes from the Finnish word tunturi, meaning treeless plain.

These far Northern lands are frost moulded landscapes with extremely low temperatures, little precipitation, poor nutrients and short growing seasons.

Ewa comes in for her close up (Image: John Boyle)

JFWP aim to educate the public on how this is one of the most vulnerable habitats on the planet, highly susceptible to the effects of climate change.  

Ewa has access to two large lakes, water being an essential element for regulating her body temperature and for displaying her natural behaviours.

The facility was designed with guidance from some of the leading experts in the field including Zoological Consultant and Polar bear expert Douglas Richardson.

This collaboration has ensured that the facilities meet the highest welfare standards and provide a near natural and stimulating environment for her and the other animals.

Her diet not surprisingly comprises large amounts of meat and fish but more unexpectedly also includes significant quantities of salad and fruit. 

Two of the Arctic wolves (Image: John Boyle)

Ewa is joined by the Tundra’s other apex predators, Arctic wolves.

The pack of twelve white coated canines was relocated from their previous home in the Lake District.

The leaders of the pack are the Alpha female, Aurora and her mate, the Alpha male, Rocky.

They have an almost fully grown male pup named Neville.

Arctic wolf on patrol (Image: John Boyle)

A pack of wolves howling is one of nature’s most recognisable and evocative sounds and can now be heard reverberating in the Suffolk countryside. 

Also in the new exhibit are the four Arctic foxes, much smaller predators than their wolf relatives.

So cute! The Arctic fox cub brothers (Image: John Boyle)

The foxes are four young brothers and have not yet developed a full white coat.

As adults they will have long, luxurious white winter fur, moulting to a much less dense grey-brown coat for summer. 

A further “big” arrival is planned for JFWP, Diego a male Brown bear, also rescued from the Swedish collection, who will be arriving in the spring.

Diego will be coming soon (Image: Jimmy's Farm)

He is currently at Wildwood Devon whilst the team at Jimmy’s puts the finishing touches to his new home.

Any donations to help finish Diego’s forever home would be greatly appreciated I'm told – a Go Fund Me page can be accessed via the Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park website or via the link on Instagram.