11.9.2025 by Mervi, Photos by MoniK and Pat Waldron
The news of Hope’s death came as a gigantic chock to us all. For me personally it’s a terrible loss. Three of the polar bears that lived in Orsa have died – first Miki, then Wilbär and now even Hope. I’m totally devastated but I tried to make a memory article of Hope – with tears running down on my cheeks.
Hope was born in November 2014 in Antibes, France.
Photos by Renée and Laurence
Her parents are Flocke and Raspi.
Moni K visited the family in Antibes many times and took lovely photos of the mother and her daughter.
This photo is by Renée and Laurence
In January 2018 it was time for Hope to leave Antibes and move to Orsa in Sweden. Unfortunaly the greedy Grönklitt Group decided to close the animal park in 2022.
While living in Orsa Hope became a mother of twin sons Nanook and Noori in 2021. The father was Wilbär.
In July 2023 Hope and her sons moved to the Peak Wildlife Park in the UK where the sons are still living.
Hope with on of the cubs
In July 2024 Hope finally came to Jimmy’s Farm where she had wonderful enclosures.
She seemed to have a good life at Jimmy’s Park.
Sadly this story had no happy ending because in this park Hope died on the 10th of September 2025.
Dear Hope! I miss you so much. It hurts to think you’re no longer with us.
Lovely photos of a lovely girl. I can’t believe she is gone. I had so many happy days visiting her in Antibes. Thanks for the photo memories of her life.
Molly
Liebe Mervi,
Ja, es ist unendlich traurig, dass mit Hope drei noch so junge Eisbären aus Orsa verstorben sind und wir waren alle so glücklich über ihre Aufnahme in den englischen Tierparks.
Es ist unfassbar und ein großer Verlust.
Danke für die schönen Erinnerungsfotos!
Traurige Grüße
Britta-Gudrun
Dear Mervi,
What a lovely tribute.
Rest in Peace dear Hope….💖
xo k-j
Dankeschön.
Bye Hope.
https://flic.kr/p/2ncVB6N
6.4.2022 – Zoo Orsa
😢 🌹
Dear Mervi,
Thank you for your pictorial tribute to Hope.
She has crossed the rainbow bridge at far too young an age…..so sad. 😢
R.I.P. Hope 🌈🐻❄️🐾❤️
Dear Mervi!
This are very sad news.
Thank you, dear Mervi for this wonderful tribute and the photos of Hope.
RIP dear Hope
Dear Mervi, I bow my head for you. Knowing that your heart is now broken, you still found the courage to bring a wonderful tribute for Hope. And again, we have to learn to know and to learn to accept that not every polar bear kept in capitivity can and will reach an old age. Nevertheless, the loss is too hard.
Dear Mervi!
Thank you for this touching tribute to Hope! It brings tears to my eyes again. We have become all too aware recently how quickly everything can be over. It is difficult to come to terms with.
Sleep well, you beautiful girl!
Infinitely sad
Anke
Ein Dankeschön von Herzen für die schönen Erinnerungsfotos und die liebevollen Worte, die den Lebensweg von HOPE noch einmal nachzeichnen, hin zu einem HappyEnd,das leider ein völlig unerwartetes jähes Ende gefunden hat… In Noori und Nanook, in Flocke und in Tala,Indie und Yuma lebt ein Teil von ihr weiter…🐻❄️💖
Dear Mervi!
Thank you for the memories on Hope. I am very sad too. We saw Hope as a young bear in Antibes with Flocke. Then we met her in Wildlife Park with her both sons.
Hugs
Ludmila
Dear Mervi
Thank you for these words and photos about Hope. I too am left feeling sad and sorry that I was never able to visit her.
Danke für diese schönen Erinnerungen an Hope!
Glückliche Jugend in Frankreich, aufregende
Zeiten in Schweden und schließlich der
Umzug nach England nach den unschönen
Vorgängen in Orsa mit der Schließung.
Geliebt wurde Hope überall und ihre
Kinder bleiben das Vermächtnis…