Polar bear pen plan gets icy reception

A MASSIVE new polar bear enclosure is to be built at Edinburgh Zoo as part of a £58 million redevelopment, it was revealed today.

Zoo chiefs say the project will ensure the future of Mercedes, the only polar bear in captivity in the UK.

And they hope to introduce more of the huge animals to the new enclosure.

But animal activists, who have highlighted the problems with Mercedes’ existing accommodation, have hit out at the plans.

They claim the zoo has gone back on a commitment not to keep any more polar bears once 24-year-old Mercedes dies.

The zoo will launch a public appeal later this year to raise money for the project.

Iain Valentine, head of animals, education and conservation at the zoo, said: "We have a two-staged plan for improving the enclosure. Mercedes may be moved to another zoo on the continent when we start building.

"In the meantime she’s staying here and we are looking after her in the best way we can.

"It’s not about space, it’s about quality space. We are always changing the habitat within the enclosure and we freeze food into ice blocks so she has to work to get it."

He added: "We are working on a plan for building work in the next seven years but it is likely that the polar bears’ enclosure could be built in the next three or four years."

Mercedes, so called because the German car giant paid for her to be brought to Edinburgh from Canada 20 years ago, could live to be 40.

Although zoo chiefs previously insisted she would not be replaced, Mr Valentine said the plight of the bears in the wild had worsened and it was important to continue keeping polar bears in captivity.

"Polar bears do form part of our collection plan and that’s absolutely right considering the state of polar bears in the wild. They are now under threat through climate change. Other zoos in the UK have not decided to have them as part of their collection plan, but other zoos across Europe do."

He added: "We are serious about keeping them and she is not an old animal so she still forms part of the breeding programme."

But the news of the enclosure project has angered the Born Free Foundation and the Edinburgh-based group Advocates for Animals.

Ross Minnett of Advocates for Animals, said: "Polar bears are widely recognised as one of the most unsuitable animals to keep in captivity.

"These highly intelligent animals are easily driven insane from boredom and stress.

"In zoos they are restricted to about one millionth of their natural range.

"I am disgusted to learn that Edinburgh Zoo is considering going back on its commitment not to replace Mercedes with another polar bear when she dies."

He said the zoo no longer housed elephants, as it was not acceptable to keep them in a restricted space.

And he said six years was too long to wait for an improved enclosure.

"Many people who visit the zoo find the sight of Mercedes distressing," he said.

"The zoo must drastically improve her pathetic enclosure as a matter of urgency."

"She is obviously distressed and is displaying unnatural repetitive behaviour.

"She is a bit of an embarrassment to the zoo."

Danielle De Veau Crawford, head of development at the zoo, denied the polar bear was distressed.

She said: "Mercedes’ welfare is paramount. The enclosure meets minimum standards, although we are going to enlarge it as part of our masterplan."

She said zoo employees worked hard to provide a stimulating environment for the animal, and any repetitive behaviour was temporary and linked to the change of seasons.

She said the zoo would be launching the masterplan for the next 20 years in September.

It aims to improve animal accommodation and replace much of the infrastructure, including the electricity, which dates from the 1930s.