Excellent news! Thanks for that.
Excellent news! Thanks for that.
I was under the impression that they were leaving it until after Mercedes had passed on (as sad as that sounds), so that they could then have space for a young breeding pair.
Is there a reason for bringing a new male in now? (Maybe its get it while its there?)
Quite possibly. Also it provides company for Mercedes and avoids any criticism of a 'single' bear being kept. I imagine the HWP enclosure would be big enough to accomodate a third bear too e.g. a young female, if one becomes available.
Ahh, fair enough (though I thought it was better for female polar bears to be kept alone, especially in later life? Since they are solitary anyway - and having lived alone for so many years - would she not see this young male as a potential rival for territory etc?).
P.S. I don't know all of this for sure, I'm no expert. It's just my first thoughts on the idea
Found the reason 
Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig, Kingussie, Inverness-shire, Scotland, UK
In summary, the bear [named 'Walker'] is simply in need of a new home. His mother is expecting more cubs, and to prevent any future problems Walker needs to be moved before she gives birth.
This is a decision by the EEP for polar bears, based on the facts that Highlands has one of the best polar bear exhibits, and that they have space to house him.
Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig, Kingussie, Inverness-shire, Scotland, UK
In summary, the bear [named 'Walker'] is simply in need of a new home. His mother is expecting more cubs, and to prevent any future problems Walker needs to be moved before she gives birth.
This is a decision by the EEP for polar bears, based on the facts that Highlands has one of the best polar bear exhibits, and that they have space to house him.
So there you have it. And I still think they've room for another one if it was offered any time. The EEP have probably earmarked this big enclosure for future use! Interesting that the report says he will eventually be move to another enclosure within the park though. Not sure why they will need that as well.
As they say, Mercedes used to have a male companion(Barney?) so in the past was used to sharing a much smaller area(at the zoo) than what she has now. I can't see there being any problem and being middle-aged she's more likely to be tolerant than aggressive to a new bear I think.
Ahh cool. The new enclosure statement did strike me as odd, does it mean that they will move just him, or polar bears in general?
It is a massive exhibit, and seems well suited (from what I know
). I love the fact that it doesn't feel the need to create a barren wasteland of ice and mock-rock like some big name zoos. It is an actual tundra enviroment. I'm hoping that this may be the start of polar bears making a comeback in Britain, especially if Walker starts breeding with any new females they bring in, but alas they'll probably just go to other countries 
.I'd be surprised if there was much difference in the relative strengths of Polar bears depending on their sex. But obviously another enclosure is on the cards sometime fairly soon.
Little Lion Man
Well-Known Member
Brilliant news another stepping stone towards bears being fully integrated back into the UK zoo population. I will be visiting HWP as soon as he arrives
Simon McGlary
Well-Known Member
Male polar bears grow to be almost double the size of females. Apparently he's quite big already! I had heard this at the zoo a few weeks ago but we were all sworn to secrecy. It seems the the studbook keeper and the zoo he is coming from wanted him to go to HWP and RZSS were approached. There was no initial move from HWP or RZSS as the long term plan, as far as I know, has always been to allow Mercedes to live out her life before any changes. If anything it shows how trusted and respected RZSS, HWP and Edinburgh Zoo is regarded within other zoos!
An interesting article by Paul Irven in 'International Zoo News' on UK Caprines gives a list of stock at HWP for October 2010 . This lists 2.3 Mishmi takin , as shown on ISIS , with 2 births in 2010 , it states that the herd numbered about a dozen at one time but they have suffred some unfortunate losses . Also listed is 6.1 Turkmenian markhor , though the article lists at least 5 females having been imported . There are no longer any Afghan urials .
It does seem that HWP has been having major problems with many of the rare species it has imported - the Bactrian deer have also suffered heavy losses after doing well at Edinburgh . A real shame . Perhaps some of these species do better when more closely managed in smaller enclosures - look at the success at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris .
It does seem that HWP has been having major problems with many of the rare species it has imported - the Bactrian deer have also suffered heavy losses after doing well at Edinburgh . A real shame . Perhaps some of these species do better when more closely managed in smaller enclosures - look at the success at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris .
Last edited:
They must have gone downhill pretty quick, or transferred some animals out -there seemed a good number (I'd say double figures or thereabouts) when I visited in May 2010. It was fantastic to see so many of these wonderful looking animals together.
A couple of reasons may be that all the caprinae have no indoor quarters at the park, but being robust, hardy species, this may not be a problem.
The park also had an infestation of ragwort throughout the main reserve, which may have caused a few deaths too.
The park also had an infestation of ragwort throughout the main reserve, which may have caused a few deaths too.
johnstoni
Well-Known Member
Also, just because an animal comes from mountain regions, does not mean the individuals come from such a zoo with such a climate and as such may not be entirely used to that at HWP. Also the uplands of the British Isles are far wetter than many inland mountain regions where some of these species originate.
Johnstoni & FFBird both make good points. I believe there could be both climatic and/or parasitic problems here. I know that some of the central Asian species of Red Deer/Wapiti are not easy to keep in captivity. Woburn used to keep Kashmir Deer but only successfully when on a hardstanding area. Maybe the Bactrian deer at HWP are suffering similar problems, either from parasites, or too wet a climate. If these issues are relevant and the herd diminishes further, they could eventually be regarded as a failed species at HWP and not be replaced.
Rather ironic that the artificial concrete mountains of The Mappin Terraces at Regents Park were probably an easier place to manage wild goats and sheep than the natural surroundings of The Highland WP . Similarly Dudley have kept their Barbary sheep on concrete for many years .