There are only two polar bears in all of the UK, and they reside at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig. This past weekend they were introduced to each other, but not without what park officials termed a “shouting match” at the beginning. The female bear is called Mercedes, and she is considerably older than the newer male bear, Walker. She apparently made sure he was aware of the pecking order as she chased him upon their first meeting. Highland Wildlife Park has a breeding program in place for polar bears, which they established upon bringing Mercedes from the Edinburgh Zoo last year. Walker was acquired from the Rhenen Zoo in Holland. Mercedes will probably not be part of the breeding program due to her age.
Highland Wildlife Park is located in Kincraig, near Kingussie, about an hour south of Inverness. The park is open daily. Please check their website for opening times: www.highlandwildlifepark.org. Along with the Edinburgh Zoo, they are run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. A great family day out, the Highland Wildlife Park is also home to Scottish wildlife such as red deer, pine martens, and capercaillie; European wolves, elk, and bison; red pandas, yaks, and Bactrian camels; and tigers, reindeer, and arctic fox. A must-see when in the Scottish Highlands, the Highland Wildlife Park also offers a visitors’ centre, gift shop, and café.
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