Polar bear cub enjoys outdoor debut

THE UK’s only polar bear cub born in 25 years has taken its first steps outside, with hopes it will become an “ambassador” for its species.

Mother Victoria and her three-month-old cub have started to venture into the Highland Wildlife Park outdoor enclosure to feed and explore. It means visitors will now get the chance to see the mother and her cub from today, although animal lovers have been warned the youngster might only be visible for short periods.

Una Richardson, head keeper, said: “They’re doing fantastically – that’s the furthest baby’s come out today, every day it gets a little bit more confident. It’s starting to explore food, smelling what mum’s smelling, eating what mum’s eating.

“It’s had its head in a couple of molehills, which was very cute to see.

“It’s just a very healthy baby, growing every day and developing more confidence.”

Staff at the park at Kincraig, near Kingussie, expect to know the gender of the baby in April or May, when it has been possible to separate it from its mother to examine.

The mother had been in her maternity den for four months before taking her cub outside.