A wildlife park and farm near Ipswich has spoken of the "joyous occasion" when a polar bear was reunited with her family and friend.

Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park in Wherstead near Ipswich announced that they had taken in a fourth polar bear to their reserve.

Hope has joined her mum, Flocke, sister Tala and friend Ewa at the Suffolk park.

The farm has described it as a "truly heartwarming family reunion" due to Hope not seeing her friend Ewa since they were at Orsa Predator Park in Sweden together.

Hope in her new home in SuffolkHope in her new home in Suffolk (Image: Jimmy's Farm)

The team at Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park is eager to see whether the bears recognise one another.

Stevie Sheppard, park director at Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park said: "Hope's addition to our group is not just a joyous occasion but also a significant opportunity for scientific observation.

"This reunion could provide invaluable insights into the social structures of polar bears, helping us to enhance conservation efforts and ensure their survival.

"We look forward to observing the dynamic between Hope and her family and are optimistic about the contributions this reunion can make to ongoing research."

The team at Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park and Peak Wildlife ParkThe team at Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park and Peak Wildlife Park (Image: Jimmy's Farm)

Hope has moved to Suffolk from Peak Wildlife Park in Leek, where she lived with her cubs, Nanook and Noori, who are now old enough to live independently and have remained in the park near Stoke-on-Trent.

A spokesperson for Peak Wildlife Park said: "Everyone here at the park will be sad to see Hope go, during her time here she captured the hearts of animal keepers and guests alike.

"Her move to Jimmy's was always going to be the next part of her story and we look forward to what the future holds for her."

The polar bears are part of Jimmy's Farm's 'Lost Lands of the Tundra' reserve, which also features reindeer, arctic wolves and arctic foxes.