It's A Boy! Highland Wildlife Park Introduce Polar Bear Cub

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: February 24, 2022 10:10 pm

A keeper holds the polar bear cub at Highland Wildlife Park during its health check this week

Photo Credit: RZSS

Highland Wildlife Park have announced that their polar bear cub born to mother Victoria in December 2021 is a male. Victoria previously gave birth to Hamish, the first polar bear cub born in the UK in 25 years.

This week vets and keepers at the wildlife conservation charity gave the three month old cub a routine health check yesterday. During the check he was chipped, vaccinated and determined to be in good health.

Keith Gilchrist, animal collection manager at Highland Wildlife Park said, “After watching Victoria and her cub closely on CCTV over the winter, it is very exciting to find out we have a little boy and that he is in good health. He is already becoming more confident every day and it is incredible to see him grow and develop. 

“In the coming weeks we are going to be asking the public for their help in naming our newest arrival.” 

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At present public viewing of Victoria and her cub is closed to provide peace and quiet for the cub to bond with mom. Within a few weeks they will be introduced to their large outdoor enclosure.

Visitors to Highland Wildlife Park are currently able to see the father of the cub, Arktos and their other male, Walker in their habitat.

Keith added, “Like all the animals in our care, our polar bears play an important role in attracting and engaging thousands of visitors each year so they can learn about the threats animals face in the wild and the action they can take to help. Their power to connect with people with nature and encourage behaviour change is invaluable.

“We will be sure to keep everyone updated when the cub starts to explore outdoors.” 

Learn more about Polar Bears here - Polar Bear Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about Highland Wildlife Park on their website – Highland Wildlife Park

A keeper holds the polar bear cub at Highland Wildlife Park during its health check this week

Photo Credit: RZSS