At last after months of speculation it has been confirmed today by the RZSS that Mercedes the polar bear will be heading north to the HWP this year.
In the following statement it says a 4 acre enclosure will be built for her at the park.
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.”
In the following statement it says a 4 acre enclosure will be built for her at the park.
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.”
