Britain's only polar bear

Posted by Emily White - 13:16 on 27 August 2010

The Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie is the home of Britain's only polar bear, 27 year old Mercedes.

But why Scotland?  Mercedes arrived at Edinburgh after a mission to prevent her from being shot in Canada.  A life member of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland stepped in with her cousin, a former Canadian fisheries minister, to find the polar bear a new home and she was transported to Edinburgh Zoo.

Last year Mercedes was moved to The Highland Wildlife Park, where she has a whole 4 acres of land to herself (polar bears are suited to a solitary existence).  The huge area is dotted with rocks, trees, hills and pools, left open to the Highland elements where winter temperatures regularly plunge far below freezing.  To me it seems a shame she wasn't placed there originally, as the new suroundings are a great improvement on the 40m diameter pen she called home in Edinburgh Zoo.

Discover Scottish wildlife and endangered animals of the world's mountains and tundra in the spectacular setting of the Highland Wildlife Park.  Just an hours drive from Kiltearn House and a great day out!

Click here for more information, including opening times and ticket prices.

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