5.7.2023 – Source: Peak Wildlife Park
A polar bear mother and her twin cubs have arrived at a North Staffordshire zoo – just in time for the summer holidays. A specially-designed five-acre habitat has been created at Peak Wildlife Park, at Winkhill, near Leek.
The polar bears have relocated from Orsa Rovdjurspark (Orsa Predator Park) in Sweden which has now closed. The 19-month-old cubs, Nanook and Noori, were born at Orsa in November 2021, while their mum, Hope, was born in Antibes, France, in 2014.
They are already at Peak Wildlife Park but are not due to go on show to the public until August. An exact date had not yet been confirmed.
James Butler, Peak Wildlife Park director, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming these magnificent polar bears to Peak Wildlife Park. Their arrival marks an important milestone in our commitment to conservation and education.
“We have created an enclosure that prioritises their welfare while offering visitors a unique opportunity to learn about and appreciate these incredible animals.”
The polar bear relocation has been organised by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria’s (EAZA) European Ex-situ Programme (EEP) for polar bears.
Peak Wildlife Park said their new habitat includes deep ponds, rugged terrain and space for the bears to roam and engage in a range of natural behaviours.
Head zookeeper Yasmin Walker said: “Our team has invested countless hours into creating a habitat that gives the bears the space and opportunity to express as wide a range of their behavioural repertoire as possible.
“We have worked closely with experts in polar bear care and behaviour to ensure the exhibit meets the highest standards of welfare. We are confident that this new home will provide a stimulating and enriching environment for the bears.”
A Peak Wildlife Park spokesman said: “We have spared no effort in constructing a large state-of-the-art home that provides the bears with the quality space that they need which will be coupled with a dynamic enrichment and husbandry programme aimed at ensuring the highest welfare standards.
“We have tried to ensure that the bears’ new home is compatible with their former enclosure at Orsa, hopefully ensuring as seamless a transition for the bears as possible.
“Visitors can look forward to observing these awe-inspiring creatures in their new surroundings and learning more about the conservation efforts dedicated to their preservation.”
Das ist so eine gute Nachricht!! ENDLICH!!
Ich bin sehr froh und erleichtert, dass HOPE, NANOOK und NOORI einen wirklich guten Platz bekommen haben!! 🐻❄️🐻❄️🐻❄️😊
Nun wird es bestimmt auch bald eine ebenso gute Nachricht von EWA und MIKI geben…🐻❄️🐻❄️✊ HOFFENTLICH!
Frohe Grüße, Mirjam
Dear Mervi!
I agree with Mirjam, this is really surprising and good news for Hope and her offspring. I´m very happy!
But now, as already mentioned, there is still the worry about Ewa and Miki, for whom a good home must also be found, and the many other animals. I hope that they will be successful quickly and that none of the animals will have to be put down just because there is no place for them.
I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Hugs
Anke
The North Staffordshire Zoo is not far from Yorkshire Wildlife Park so I hope I will visit them when they have settled down.
Dear Mervi – I can immagine HOW happy you must feel today after having discovered these uplifting news. Thank you very much for having informed the KNUIPE-readers/watchers/writers and for such letting them participate in your joy.
“PEAK WILDLIFE PARK’s” report/article with great photographs and an as formative as sounding empathtic writing style restore hope that the ‘French Lady’ HOPE and her kids will have a happy life there.
One cannot but thank cordially to all those who were/are involved in that decision and who will care for the triplet from now on.
Dear Mervi!
I am very happy about the good news.
Hugs
Ludmila
😍 👍
dear Mervi,
thank you for the good news, I am glad for Hope, Nanook and Noori
Thank you very much dear Mervi.
Best wishes to Hope, Nanook and Noori.
Dear Mervi,
Amazing news about Hope, Nanook & Noori……you must be so pleased they have found a new home here in the UK.
The Peak District Wildlife Park is not too far from the YWP and I cannot wait to visit when allowed and say hello to Flocke’s daughter and grandchildren.
Dear Pat!
What luck you live near the Peak Wildlife Park! I’m sure you’re looking forward to your first visit – and I’m looking forward to your photos! 🙂
Hugs from Mervi
Thank you for this good news, dear Mervi
Hugs,
Anita
Dear Mervi, this is the best news in a long time!
Wunderbar für Eisbärin Hope und ihre Kinder 🙂
https://flic.kr/p/2ncVB6N
Offensichtlich hat es sogar die nette Tierpflegerin vom Yorkshire Wildlife Parl zum Peak Wildlife Park gezogen 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/peakwildlifepark/