Jimmy’s Farm in July – Part 2

26.7.2024 by Pat Waldron

After a visit to see brown bear Diego and the other animals, I returned to find Hope having a good time in the water. (There will be a separate article of Diego)

She eventually came out before walking towards the wood where she disappeared from view.

Flocke was resting in the large enclosure, looking up occasionally as Tala played in the water. There was still no sign of Ewa who, I found out afterwards, was asleep in one of the dens.

While mum had her head down, Tala exited the water, made her way through the holding pen into the small enclosure and made a bee-line for the wood where Hope had gone!

A few minutes later Flocke was sat up looking around for Tala…..where was she? Within minutes she had followed her trail and was also entering the wood. (The wood is on a hillside with a public pathway to the right. You are only able to see the bears if they walk along the fenceline, or in an area at the very top if you are lucky).

Fifteen minutes later the keeper came and closed the access gate into the wood. We made him aware that the polar bears were still inside so he went back and opened the gate. He started calling them and eventually Flocke emerged.

She was followed by a more reluctant Tala who took a little more persuading. He closed the gate again before making their way to the holding pen.

Tala was fed a bottle supplement but mum just sat with back turned and didn’t want to know! At that point we mentioned Hope was still in the wood so he walked back, followed by Flocke & Tala, reopened the gate and both bears went back into the wood!

At this point we had to say goodbyes, until next time, to these amazing polar bears as closing time was upon us.

Flocke

So much has happened in all their lives recently and they have to adjust to living with each other.

Tala

I understand that three of them are in the breeding program so they will probably move on at some point in the future.

Tala

Tala is Tala and has adapted quickly. She is very curious, confident and a bundle of energy who loves to play with her toys. I think she will bond well in time with her sister Hope, when Flocke eventually allows it.

Flocke on the other hand appears more anxious than on my previous visit. The keeper announced to the visitors she was grumpy…..I never witnessed this at YWP, apart from the day she turned on the boys resulting in their separation. I see it as being very protective towards Tala, after all, she has had a lot to cope with. Her move from YWP just over 3 months ago, living with Ewa and the recent introduction of her daughter Hope. It is still early days yet so hopefully she will adapt and they will bond.

Ewa, being the older bear, is very set in her ways and appears to like keeping herself to herself. I saw very little of her today but in my previous visits she has been a little more active, occasionally walking around the enclosure or patrolling the fence. Ewa’s skin condition had much improved since our previous visit and her fur looked good.

Following Hope’s arrival at Jimmy’s, she was quickly introduced to the other bears, which I am told went well. Apparently, she walked straight past her best friend Ewa without any acknowledgment. Again, it is still early days so hopefully things will improve and they will have some contact.

Hope

Flocke

One thing is for certain……we will be back for another amazing visit to see these wonderful polar bears.

The album