Highland polar bear to meet his brother in temporary zoo move

A polar bear is to be moved temporarily from his home in the Highlands to a zoo in Yorkshire so building work can be done on his enclosure.

Brodie was born at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Highland Wildlife Park, near Aviemore, in December 2021.

His big brother Hamish, who he has never met, was also born at the park before moving to Doncaster’s Yorkshire Wildlife Park Resort in 2020.

RZSS said it was likely the brothers would be introduced to each other during Brodie’s time at the English zoo.

The bears’ mother, Victoria, was euthanised due to her deteriorating health in May.

Their father Arktos shares an enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park with another male bear called Walker.

Brodie’s move is due to take place in early December.

Darren McGarry, head of living collections at RZSS, said: “While we will miss Brodie while he’s on his holidays, it is great to be able to fully concentrate on the work needed in his habitat.

“His brother Hamish has been amazingly cared for by the team down at Yorkshire and we know they will look after Brodie with the same expertise.”

He added: “We can’t wait to see how they interact with each other when they are introduced in the future.”

Hamish is one of six polar bears at the Doncaster park.

Animal director Dr Charlotte MacDonald said: “We are so looking forward to welcoming Brodie and seeing what he makes of his big brother Hamish and his other new friends here at Project Polar. It’ll be quite an experience for him.

“Personally, I am particularly excited as I used to work at RZSS and knew Brodie and Hamish’s mother, Victoria.

“She was a great mum to both boys.”