UK’s youngest polar bear is named and takes first steps outside

25/03/2022 in Highland Wildlife Park

The UK’s youngest polar bear cub, born in December at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Highland Wildlife Park, has been named and new footage shows him taking his first steps outside.  

Chosen by the winner of the recent prize draw ran by the wildlife conservation charity to raise funds for Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre, the cub’s name will be Brodie, a Scottish word meaning second son.  

Public viewing for Brodie and mum Victoria will now open from Monday 28 March but staff at the park are advising visitors the cub may only be visible for small periods of time to begin with. 

Vickie Larkin, carnivore team leader at Highland Wildlife Park said, “We are so excited for visitors to finally see little Brodie and want to remind everyone they must book their tickets in advance.  

“He is doing very well and is growing more confident every day. It is important to be aware Brodie may only be visible for short spurts to begin with as he starts to explore his enclosure and grow stronger on his feet. After a lap of his enclosure, our wee cub enjoys a good snooze in the den with mum. 

“Like the other polar bears here at the park, Brodie will act as an ambassador for his cousins in the wild. Seeing cubs like this up close is a great way to connect with nature and raise awareness of the plight the species faces in the wild.” 

The prize draw, which ran for two weeks, raised over £70,000 to help the charity build Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre at the park. The lucky winner, Brian, chose the cub’s name from a keeper shortlist. 

Brian Whitehead, the winner, said, “This is without doubt one of the best things that has ever happened for us and will definitely be a life changing experience. I went with Brodie in the end because of it meaning second son, the family name Brodie has close ties in the area historically, it is very Scottish.  

“We can barely contain our joy because we had our first visit to the park last week, and it far exceeded our expectations. The next visit is going to be even more awesome since we will get to come back again for the ultimate experience to meet little Brodie. We still can’t quite believe it.” 

Vickie continued, “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who entered our once-in-a-lifetime prize draw to help bring Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre to life, and in turn, will allow our charity to connect even more people with nature and enable visitors and communities to protect endangered animals.” 

Visitors must book in advance due to limited numbers. To book tickets, visit highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/tickets.  

[ENDS] 

Images and video: 

Images and video are available at - dropbox.com/sh/ltqi0qbk4u1ccji/AABo2euQ3ViTSHk7PmtqPY8xa?dl=0  

Images are free to use but must be credited to RZSS 

Notes to editors: 

• Public viewing for the cub and mum at Highland Wildlife Park will open from Monday 28 March 
• The public may only be able to see the cub for short periods at first 
• The cub was named Brodie by Brian Whitehead the recent prize draw winner, who helped keepers  
• Brodie means second son and the cub is Victoria and Arktos’ second cub. The pair previously had cub Hamish in 2017. He was the first polar bear cub born in the UK in 25 years. As part of the breeding programme for the species, Hamish moved to Yorkshire Wildlife Park in November 2020 
• The cub was born in December 2021 to mum Victoria and dad Arktos. Read the announcement at rzss.org.uk/news/article/20021/polar-bear-cub-born-at-highland-wildlife-park/ 

• Brian won a recent prize draw where funds raised will help build Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre at the park  
• Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre will cost £5.6 million in total and is supported by intentions to award from the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund, led by NatureScot and supported by the European Development Fund (ERDF), and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, as well as players of People's Postcode Lottery, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and SSE Renewables 

About the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland rzss.org.uk   

•  The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has protected threatened species in Scotland and around the world for over 100 years. As a leading conservation charity, it connects people to nature and safeguards wildlife across the globe  
• At Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park, diverse and dedicated teams care for almost 3,000 amazing animals and carry out cutting-edge science and research. The wild experts based in RZSS zoos support an incredible range of projects and direct conservation action, from the Highlands of Scotland to the wetlands of Brazil and rainforests of Uganda  

• As our natural environment faces a biodiversity crisis, RZSS is inspiring and empowering communities to help save animals from extinction  

For further information, please contact comms@rzss.org.uk