Students from a Suffolk college had the chance to see Ewa the polar bear as part of a link-up with a wildlife park.

The animal learners from Suffolk Rural College were visiting Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park in Wherstead to learn new skills and saw the new polar bear - pronounced 'Eva' - who arrived at the wildlife park in October after her previous home, Orsa Predator Park in Sweden, closed down.

During their visit, the college students learned about the different projects they will be working on.

READ MORE: Jimmy's Farm in Wherstead, Ipswich welcomes Ewa polar bear

Ipswich Star: The students from Suffolk Rural College during their visit to Jimmy's FarmThe students from Suffolk Rural College during their visit to Jimmy's Farm (Image: Suffolk Rural College)The link between the two organisations was created by staff at the college and Stevie Sheppard, park director at Jimmy's Farm.

He said: “As a former student of Otley (now Suffolk Rural), I know only too well the value of getting real life work experience whilst you are a student.

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“I remember my time at the college very fondly and I’m excited by this partnership. These students are our future workforce so it’s great that we are able to give them this opportunity.”

Ipswich Star: Ewa the polar bear in her enclosure at Jimmy's FarmEwa the polar bear in her enclosure at Jimmy's Farm (Image: Sophie Ryder/ Jimmy's Farm)Helen Pearson, animal centre manager at Suffolk Rural College, explained the work the students would be undertaking.

She said: “We are hoping to make this a regular thing. Students will be involved in estate skills, we will be working with the animals and getting involved in theory-based content.

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“The partnership has been created to help our learners see how their theory knowledge from college links to real industries.

"Sometimes it is hard for them to understand why we are teaching some subjects, such as estate skills, so to do this in a work place setting it makes it more real for the learners.

“In addition to this, it’s vital to have links with organisations like Jimmy’s Farm so students can become aware of places they can work at in the future and we are very thankful to Stevie, Jimmy and the team for this opportunity."