Polar bear at city zoo faces long road trip to new home

Published on Tuesday 26 May 2009 10:21

MOVING home is generally believed to be one of the most stressful activities in life.

Anyone who has lived in the same home for more than 25 years would find the idea of switching to a new location hundreds of miles away understandably nerve-wracking.

And while Mercedes the polar bear may not have to worry about packing up her bear necessities, staff at Edinburgh Zoo have already started to prepare her for the switch to make it as stress-free as possible.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which owns the zoo, announced earlier this year that Mercedes would be moved to a new enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park, near Kingussie, to give her more freedom to roam around.

The move is expected to take place in September, following the busy summer season at the zoo.

And the crate which will transport Mercedes to her new home has now been placed just outside her existing enclosure, as the zoo prepare her for the move.

Over the next few months it is expected they will allow Mercedes to go into the crate to get used to the surroundings, and she is likely to be sedated for the journey.

A spokeswoman for the zoo said: "We've put the crate outside her existing enclosure so she can see it and get used to it. Over the next few months we will continue to gradually introduce her to the crate so that the move is as stress-free as possible for her."

Mercedes the polar bear has been one of the biggest attractions at Edinburgh Zoo since she arrived in 1984. The only polar bear on display, she has drawn in crowds of spectators eager to catch a glimpse of one of the most spectacular animals in the world.

Her new enclosure is currently being constructed by a team of 80 soldiers from the 75 Engineer Regiment.

The four-acre enclosure will be the largest of its kind in Europe, and will have a large pool and a natural tundra environment, in a climate which is said to be ideal for a polar bear.

Gary Wilson, director of business operations for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which owns Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park, said: "This is the latest in a series of enclosures that the army have helped us with. Thanks to them, the cost of building a new home for Mercedes will be 75,000 instead of the original cost of 300,000. We are extremely grateful for their support."

SAVED FROM THE RIFLE

MERCEDES was brought to the Capital from Canada in 1984. She was rescued when Canadian officials planned to kill her after she began to roam into towns in search of food.

She had already been captured once, allowing a distinctive '39' to be marked on her coat so that she could be tracked. But on her third visit into a town the decision was made to shoot her.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland stepped in at the request of residents who insisted her life should be protected.

She was brought to Edinburgh with financial help from car firm Mercedes – hence her name – and went on to mate with a bear called Barney, who died 13 years ago. They had two cubs, To-Nuik and Ohoto, who have since been moved to other zoos across the world.