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Zoo News
Polar bear plans reveal a Highland heaven for Mercedes
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is delighted to reveal plans for a new polar bear enclosure at Highland Wildlife Park for Mercedes, who currently resides at Edinburgh Zoo. The proposed enclosure will be around four acres, making it the largest polar bear enclosure in Europe. The enclosure will have a large natural pool and will provide her with a natural tundra environment in a climate that is ideal for a polar bear.
Mercedes, the only polar bear in a UK zoo, has been in Edinburgh since 1984. She was rescued from her native Canada after she was scheduled to be shot. Unfortunately she began roaming into a nearby town in search of food and, as they are dangerous animals, this behaviour had to be discouraged. Initially, she was captured and the number ‘39’ was painted on her coat which allowed her to be tracked. On her third visit the decision was made to shoot her. Luckily, a local family became fond of her and asked RZSS to provide her with a new home. Mercedes, the car company, assisted with the costs of her transport, hence her name.
Iain Valentine, Director of Animals, Conservation and Education for RZSS, said:
“It has been our intention to move Mercedes for a couple of years now. She has been happy at Edinburgh Zoo and her existing enclosure is perfectly adequate but public perception has always been that they would like to see her in a larger enclosure. Originally we had to raise £300,000 to build her a suitable enclosure at Highland Wildlife Park. Thankfully, the Army has agreed to help us build the structures required and we now only need to raise an additional £75,000. If everything goes to plan, she will be in her new Highland home by the end of the year.”
Editor’s Notes
About Mercedes
- When Mercedes arrived at Edinburgh Zoo she was paired with a male polar bear called Barney. They produced two cubs, To-Nuik and Ohoto. Barney passed away 13 years ago, since then Mercedes has been on her own, which is a natural social state for this solitary species.
- Mercedes currently has a comprehensive and constantly evolving enrichment programme to stimulate her. She has also been trained by the keepers to stand on her back legs which allow them to check her paws and chest without the need for anesthesia.
About Highland Wildlife Park
- This is one a series of moves within the animal collections of both parks, both of which are operated by RZSS. Last year the Park welcomed snow monkeys, red pandas and Amur tigers.
- Until recently, the Highland Wildlife Park’s animal collection contained species representing Scotland’s past and present such as Scottish wildcats and European wolves. The expanded new collection includes many of its existing animals but has been widened to include animals from mountain and tundra habitats from around the world. It is hoped that these developments will increase visitor numbers, which in turn will help fund conservation work in the wild, both in Scotland and further afield.
- The Highland Wildlife Park is owned by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland which also owns Edinburgh Zoo.
- RZSS was founded by visionary lawyer Thomas Gillespie. The Society was set up in 1909 ‘to promote, facilitate and encourage the study of zoology and kindred subjects and to foster and develop amongst the people an interest in and knowledge of animal life’. The Society celebrates its centenary this year.
- The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is a registered charity, charity no SC00406