I got a surprise phone call this morning. The message astounded me to such an extent that I asked the caller to repeat the message … twice.
Sylvia Borin had been walking down to her boat moored at Morston Quay early this morning just as the sun was rising. Swimming in from the sea up the main channel was what she initially thought was some sort of odd cetacean or seal. Her jaw dropped as a Polar Bear climbed out of the water and shook itself free of the North Sea. She immediately called me and then the police. What ensued was undoubtedly the fastest drive along the North Norfolk Coast I have ever undertaken. Arriving just before the authorities I managed one or two distant photographs before, despite pleading, the animal was shot for ‘safety reasons’ by police marksmen.
It is a well-known fact that as population sizes decrease individuals of any species have a tendency to wander further from their home territory. Odd Polar Bears have occurred in Iceland before now. These animals are capable of long sea crossings but one in Norfolk is unprecedented. We can only speculate where the bear originated but the population in Svalbard seems likely.
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Letter From Norfolk 
My Garden Warbler has never been so flabbergasted by this news… However, it was not the police that shot it (too much paperwork and bad publicity) it was the local wildfowlers who thought it to be a snow goose… JG
Sounds about right John!
Wow! Gobsmacked !!!
Take a look at the date Wendy!
I fell for that! Only just noticed what the date is!
You weren’t the only one Wendy!
Hi Carl,
Hope you and Sharron are well.
Glenda and I are in Norfolk for a few days this month and are wandering if you have a day free were we can hire your sevices for a day tour? We are staying at Salthouses,and have the 16th , 17th and 18th April free. We are particularly interested in the otter this time and of course a POLAR BEAR !!!!!! is also a must and finish off with a Tea t’owl. Please let me know if you are available
Best Regards Mick & Glenda Hillsley
Polar Bear is Extra! – I’ll send you a mail later today once I’ve had chance to check the diary. Will be good to see you both again.
Well for several hours we have been reflecting on the demise of such a magnificent animal that struggled and survived a journey from the Arctic to north Norfolk and then got shot! After feeling traumatised and deeply sadned by loss of said Polar Bear, Liz has now changed her mind and thinks you should be shot instead. Curiously she won’t say why!! It’s making me feel Great-ly Auk-ward!
Guilty as charged! Next time I see Liz I’ll hide.
Why oh why would they shot it. Couldn’t they have shot it with a tranqualizer? Then there is the question of its appearance. What have we done to have a polar bear so far from its habitat? What a commentary on human nature.
Sally – I’m afraid you’ve been duped! – take a look at the date and try Googling Sylvia Borin.