First polar bear born in UK for 25 years is moving down the road from Manchester

The first polar bear cub to be born in the UK for a quarter of a decade is being brought to Yorkshire Wildlife Park. 

The three-year-old cub was born in Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie in Scotland, and is set to move to Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s Project Polar habitat.

Hamish was born December 18th 2017 and is currently living with his mother, Victoria. Now he’s grown up – and surpassed his mother in size – keepers think it is the right time to move on and fly the nest.  

Dr Matt Hartley, who is head of animals at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, said the park is delighted to be welcoming Hamish to Project Polar bear, where he will be joining five other male bears. 

Project Polar bear lets the cubs play and develop in their early years before becoming breeding males and later retiring, due to being genetically well represented in the population. 

Dr Hartley said: “Yorkshire Wildlife Park participates in the European Endangered Species Programme by housing sub-adult males during the important period of their development prior to becoming breeding males or retired males that are genetically well represented in the carefully managed population.

“Our expansive reserves allow social interaction, play, exploration and behavioural development that is vital for bear wellbeing.”

Rachel Williams, senior animal keeper at Highland Wildlife Park, said: “In the wild, polar bear cubs will stay with their mothers for two to three years so this is a natural time for Hamish to be moving on and I’m sure Victoria will appreciate some peace and quiet.

“It has been an incredible two and a half years watching him grow and he will be missed by everyone here at the park.

“There’s still time for visitors to come and say goodbye before Hamish leaves at the end of October, he is still a very playful bear.”

Highland Wildlife Park is ran by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), and Hamish’s departure date is yet to be confirmed. 

David Field, RZSS chief executive, said: “A critical part of our role as a wildlife conservation charity is education.

“Hamish has made a tremendous impression on the thousands of people who visited the park since his birth two and a half years ago and the billions who saw the news around the world.

“He has helped to highlight the threats many species face in the wild and the changes we can undertake to really make a difference.

“Changes in the Arctic climate mean the sea ice that wild polar bears, and other animals, depend on for survival is shrinking and it is predicted this will significantly decrease population numbers over the next 40 years.

“Hamish has been and continues to be an incredible ambassador for his relatives in the wild.”