Mercedes the polar bear put to sleep at Highland zoo

Published on Friday 15 April 2011 12:46

MERCEDES, the polar bear who attracted millions of visitors to Edinburgh Zoo, has been put down after suffering health problems, her keepers said today.

• Mercedes spent many years at Edinburgh Zoo before moving north. Picture: Sandy Young

The 30-year-old female bear had advanced osteoarthritis.

She was being treated with painkillers at the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie, where she was moved two years ago.

A statement from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which runs the zoo, said: "It is with great sadness that we have to announce that early this morning Mercedes the polar bear had to be put painlessly to sleep due to age-related health problems and a recent rapid deterioration in her welfare."

Mercedes was taken to Scotland in January 1984 from her native Canada.

She had been due to be shot after roaming into the town of Churchill several times in search of food.

While at Edinburgh Zoo she reared two cubs - Minty and Ohoto - with her partner Barney.

Mercedes was moved to a larger enclosure at Edinburgh's sister zoo in the Highlands in October 2009 following a fundraising appeal.

She was later joined by polar bear Walker, who was transferred from a zoo in Holland.

Simon Girling, RZSS head of veterinary services, said before Mercedes' death: "Mercedes has now taken a significant turn for the worse in terms of her mobility and is also showing signs of mental confusion.

"This deterioration in her welfare has prompted us to step in and humanely euthanise her."

Jane Harley, the Highland Wildlife Park's local veterinary consultant, said: "Mercedes has shown a marked deterioration in her condition over the last week.

"She has signs of severe pain from arthritic joints that the medication no longer appears to be controlling.

"She also appears to be showing signs of 'old age senility' which is causing her confusion and distress.

"This has been a difficult decision for everyone who has been involved with Mercedes, but is the right decision for a very special bear."

A post-mortem examination will be carried out on Mercedes so vets can learn more about her condition, the zoo said.

Polar bears in the wild live 18 to 20 years on average, and 25 to 29 years in captivity.