Jimmy's Farm near Colchester to get brown bear in spring

Diego the brown bear was saved from being put to sleep in Sweden in November last year by Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park in Wherstead. 

The Suffolk farm wanted to save the bear and bring him over to the county to live the rest of his life after his previous home was forced to close. 

A fundraiser was started to help bring him over, raising funds to build the new enclosure.

This fundraiser attracted thousands of donations, with £20,000 raised in one day, quickly followed by a further £15,000 two days later.

Celebrities including James Bond star Daniel Craig and north Essex-based singer Sam Ryder threw their support behind the fundraiser by appearing in a video.

This meant that through GoFundMe Diego was saved in November after the farm raised over £56,000.

Diego, who lived at Orsa Predator Park in Sweden, was transferred to Wildwood in Devon, which already had the facilities to house the bear, for the winter months.

Now, Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park sent out a notice to inform people that Diego was going to make his way over to Suffolk in spring.

Jimmy Doherty (Image: Newsquest)

Previously, Jimmy Doherty, founder of Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park, thanked the public for their help in bringing Diego to Suffolk.

He said: "Through your kindness and generosity, we are paving the way for a brighter future for Diego, where he can live a life filled with love, care and the freedom he deserves.

"This project would not be possible without your support and we are incredibly grateful for your dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of animals like Diego."

This is the second bear the park has saved, with Ewa the polar bear currently living at the park with the reserve opening in October.

Diego the bear (Image: Jimmy's Farm)