Highland Wildlife Park says farewell to UK’s oldest polar bear

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is sad to share the loss of Victoria, the UK’s oldest polar bear, who had been experiencing age related health problems and receiving geriatric care. Taking into account her quality of life and wellbeing, the wildlife conservation charity’s vets advised that Victoria should be put to sleep.

Born in December 1996 at Rostock Zoo in Germany, Victoria first gave birth in 2008 at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark to a girl named Malik. Victoria moved to Highland Wildlife Park in 2015 and gave birth to two boys, with Hamish being the first polar bear to be born in the UK for 25 years in 2017, followed by Brodie in 2021.

David Field, RZSS CEO, said, “Victoria was an excellent mother and seeing her bring up two big, healthy boys has been a joy for our charity’s dedicated teams and the hundreds of thousands of visitors who have flocked to see the family, and learn more about the threats these amazing animals face in the wild.”

With only a small percentage of polar bears living past 18 in the wild, at 28, Victoria’s age is testament to the world class care she received from her keepers and veterinary team.

She leaves an incredible legacy through her cubs who play an essential role in the European breeding programme, which ensures a healthy and genetically diverse population of these bears living in human care.