Polar bear cub warms hearts at wildlife park
Zoo staff are thrilled by new arrival
WILDLIFE park staff are thrilled at the birth of a polar bear cub.
Keepers at the Highland Wildlife Park shared CCTV footage captured in the den showing mum and cub enjoying a snooze.
Vickie Larkin, carnivore team leader at the park near Aviemore, said: “This is a tremendous occasion which is a testament to our team’s hard work.
“While we are excited about the new arrival, we are not celebrating quite yet as the first few weeks of a polar bear’s life is critical, with potential immune system complications and mum’s need for privacy our top priority.
“Like all the animals in our care, our polar bears play an important role in attracting and engaging thousands of visitors so they can learn about the threats animals face in the wild and the action they can take to help.”
Public viewing is closed to give mum Victoria and her youngster peace and quiet. Dad Arktos and Walker, the park’s other male polar bear, can still be spotted in their enclosure.
Vickie added: “Victoria is a very attentive mother and we’re pleased to say they are both doing well so far.
“We will not know if the little one is a boy or girl until we are able to perform health checks in the spring and they will be named shortly after.
“Polar bears are born blind and do not open their eyes until they are a month old. At the moment, the youngster is about a foot long and weighs roughly the same as a guinea pig.”
Victoria, who was once again paired with Arktos, previously gave birth to Hamish – the UK’s first polar bear cub in 25 years – in 2017.