UK’s only polar bear cub celebrates first birthday at Highland Wildlife Park

13/12/2022 in Highland Wildlife Park

The UK’s only polar bear cub, Brodie, celebrates his first birthday at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Highland Wildlife Park today (Tuesday 13 December). 

 Keepers at the wildlife conservation charity helped Brodie mark the milestone with a birthday ice-cake made of carrot, hot dogs, apples, cod liver oil and a peanut butter frosting. The cub was spotted sharing his birthday cake with mum Victoria who also celebrated a birthday this week, turning 26 on Monday 12 December. 

 Vickie Larkin, carnivore team leader at Highland Wildlife Park said, “We are all delighted to wish Brodie a happy first birthday. He has settled in so well and is one of the park’s biggest personalities. 

 “Brodie is an amazing ambassador for his cousins in the wild. Seeing polar bears like Brodie up close is a great way to connect with nature and raise awareness of the threats the species face in the wild.”   

Born on 13 December 2021, Brodie took his first steps outside in March 2022. In the wild, polar bear cubs will stay with their mothers for two to three years, learning key survival skills before leaving to start their own families. 

Visitors can see Brodie and Victoria at Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore, which is open from 10am to 4pm during the winter. Last entry is at 3pm and viewing closes at Brodie and Victoria’s enclosure at 3.30pm. 

 

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Images and video: 

Video and images are available at: dropbox.com/scl/fo/ejvamfu6bhvxki31uq8nq/h?dl=0&rlkey=l56c07ktsyd61edikr0rl92tg  

Images are free to use but must be credited to RZSS  

Notes to editor:  

• Brodie’s name was chosen by the winner of a prize draw ran by RZSS to raise funds for Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre. Read the announcement at highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/news/article/20413/uk%E2%80%99s-youngest-polar-bear-is-named-and-takes-first-steps-outside/  
• Read Brodie’s birth announcement at rzss.org.uk/news/article/20021/polar-bear-cub-born-at-highland-wildlife-park/ 
• Brodie is Victoria and Arktos’ second cub after the pair previously had Hamish in 2017. 

• Hamish was the first polar bear cub born in the UK in 25 years and moved to Yorkshire Wildlife Park in November 2020 as part of the breeding programme for the species. 

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

• The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision: a world which protects, values and loves nature. 

• Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park are gateways to the natural world through which people can experience nature, learn about the challenges facing wildlife and discover how we harness our expertise in conservation science and animal care alongside the unique power of the RZSS family – our teams, supporters and partners – to save animals from extinction. 

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