Highland Wildlife Park Mercedes

Mercedes was featured on BBC News this morning twice. The first news story live from HWP about her life at Edinburgh Zoo then later they showed her being released into the main enclosure. It is not on iplayer yet but I have foundhttp://www.gm.tv/videos/gmtv-highlights/40259-meet-mercedes-the-polar-bear.html this video on GMTV website
 
People seem to complain about the enclosure. I live no where near here and it looks fine to me. Pool is natural and deep, and seems very large. people have said that the indoor accommodation is not up to scratch but at the end of the day she is a polar bear and will probably prefer to be outside most of the time. I found this on BBC news website which shows the enclosure in full with the pool and her in it!

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Polar bear in the swim in new home
 
I thought it was great to see Mercedes in that big natural pool and enclosure .
 
i take back most of what i have said in previous posts about the pool, Mercedes, by the looks of it has taken to it like a duck to water, watching a few tv reports throughout the day, she seems to have adapted very easily, exploring all sides of her enclosure, taking a dip and rolling in the long grass.
Hopefully with all this new acreage to explore, she may shed a few pounds, she does look fairly overweight, maybe something to with her age, maybe, but a lack of exercise may have something to do with it.
Really need to get up there soon, maybe wait till after the school holidays, or even wait till we get some snow up there, imagine how that is going to look!
 
I was going to wait till there was the first snow up there to go back, because i think seing both mercedes AND the tiger cubs in the snow will be great, but i am not sure i can wait that long!

She looks overweight because its a natural thing for polarbears to do during this time to stack up on the pounds before going into hibernation and altho Mercedes doesn't go into hibernation.. her body still adds the pounds on during this time and takes them off as she goes into spring. I spoke to the keepers about it during my last visit to the zoo and they said attempting to stop this natural cycle would just add stress to her so they allow her to bulk up during autumn and she losses it in spring...seemingly..lol
 
Thanks for clarifying that for me Lesley.
Doug Richardson has spoken on Reporting Scotland (BBC's regional news programme), that when Mercedes dies "it is their intention to bring in a group of polar bears".
 
I didn't think they would just stop with Mercedes, its alot of money if there was no intentions in keeping polarbears after she dies.

Still no work on whats gonna replace her??

not gonna give us anymore hints Kiang? ;)
 
I will be there on Saturday (first visit) and should update with photos next week. I can't wait now! I had assumed that Mercedes would not be on display at HWP for at least a couple of weeks so this is a real treat!
 
This is a great story! the videos are great I cant imagine what she must be feeling!

dfg photography said:
I will be there on Saturday (first visit) and should update with photos next week. I can't wait now! I had assumed that Mercedes would not be on display at HWP for at least a couple of weeks so this is a real treat!
Click to expand...

Could you get some photos detailing the fence and the house? would be great to see. Thanks

I cant understand how they got away with using what looks like deer fencing! I always thought the regulations for large bear enclosures stated that a chain link fence of a certain tensile strength should be used incase the electric fence failed!
 
tomzoo123 said:
People seem to complain about the enclosure. I live no where near here and it looks fine to me. Pool is natural and deep, and seems very large. people have said that the indoor accommodation is not up to scratch but at the end of the day she is a polar bear and will probably prefer to be outside most of the time. I found this on BBC news website which shows the enclosure in full with the pool and her in it!

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Polar bear in the swim in new home
Click to expand...

Oh God, call it a "feel good story" if you like but it almost brought tears to my eyes.
 
Mercedes the polar bear new piccies

OK, All images have now been posted on Flickr on a new set of the move from Edinburgh to Kincraig, you can see her in her new enclosure, and playing, very very happily, those news reports too show her swimming, this is one incredibly happy (And possibly spoiled!) polar bear. See Mercedes the Polar bear Exclusive - Pics of the move from Edinburgh Zoo to the Highland Wildlife Park Kincraig. - a set on Flickr for all images of the move. Enjoy, it has been quite a journey!
 
Vulpes said:
I cant understand how they got away with using what looks like deer fencing! I always thought the regulations for large bear enclosures stated that a chain link fence of a certain tensile strength should be used incase the electric fence failed!
Click to expand...

Because of the photoset being collected, I had a chance to speak to Douglas Richardson, during the press call today, he has a lot of knowledge of the subject (And of the HWLP in general).

So, the fence has an internal electric fence system, similar to a field's fence where there are a few wires going down the way, rather than a single one. There appears to be another single electric wire running round the outside of the fence, not sure if this is on a separate supply from the other as backup, or if its simply to stop people trying to go in, remember the latest German zoo news!

The fence, even if the electric was turned off, would withstand (And more) Mercedes the bear running full pelt at it, the strength is in the design and construction of the fencing, not to mention the materials used. This aint no chicken wire, this is high tech fencing. There is no walls around the enclosure, and its the first of its kind anywhere apparently, its expected that if this sort of fence works a treat then it may allow all polar bear enclosures to be bigger as cost will be less of an issue (Bar the land purchasing).
 
do you know what stops her digging out? I have to agree that these enclosures are the way forward, much the same as when Hagenbeck let the big cats out from behind the bars and pits. Thanks for the great photos, look forward to seeing more!
 
The reporter certainly seemed to be aware of this kind of fencing being in its pioneer stage for this species with the amount she was nervously turning round as Mercedes approached.....

This is an amazing day I never thought I'd see. Edinburgh zoo owe Mercedes for two decades of service to the public of Edinburgh zoo.

I hope, if more bears replace her when she dies, that they do not allow cubs unless homes of equal space and calibre are secured beforehand.
 
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