Edinburgh's polar bear moves to Kingussie Wild Life Park

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has revealed plans for a new enclosure for their polar bear.Mercedes, who currently lives at Edinburgh Zoo, is going to move to her new home at the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie. http://www.highlandwildlifepark.org/

The new polar bear enclosure will be nearly four acres in size, making it one of the largest in Europe. It will have a large natural pool and provide the bear with a natural tundra environment.
Mercedes is the only polar bear in a UK zoo and has been resident in Edinburgh since 1984.
She was rescued from her homeland of Canada, where she was scheduled to be shot after she began to roam into a nearby town in search of food.

Iain Valentine, director of animals, conservation and education for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said in a statement: "It has been our intention to move Mercedes for a couple of years now.

Experience Scottish wildlife as well as international endangered animals of mountains and tundra in the spectacular setting of the Highland Wildlife Park. Drive around the Main Reserve in your own car and then investigate the walk-round area by foot, looking out for our new Amur tigers!
We are open daily - our opening times in March are from 10am - 4pm (last entry 3pm).
The Highland Wildlife Park was opened in 1972 and, along with Edinburgh Zoo, is run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, reg. charity SC004064.

"She has been happy at Edinburgh Zoo and her existing enclosure is perfectly adequate but public perception has always been that they would like to see her in a larger enclosure."
He added: "Originally we had to raise £300,000 to build her a suitable enclosure at Highland Wildlife Park.

Thankfully, the Army has agreed to help us build the structures required and we now only need to raise an additional £75,000. If everything goes to plan, she will be in her new Highland home by the end of the year."