Polar bear cub takes first swim in Highland Wildlife Park pool

The newborn polar bear cub seems a little nervous at first as mum watches on in their special enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park, near Kingussie. Picture: PA

The youngster, based at a special enclosure in the Highland Wildlife Park, near Kingussie, seemed to enjoy having a splash about in the water.

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The cub, which is nearly three-and-a-half months old, is growing in size and confidence, increasingly venturing a bit further away from mother Victoria when they are outside.

The gender of the unnamed cub is not yet known, however keepers expect they will find this out within the next two months when they have had a chance to give it an examination.

A list of names has been drawn up by those at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s park, but this remains top secret.

The cub’s growth in confidence has continued since first being let out of its indoor enclosure towards the end of March.

The mother had been in her maternity den for four months before taking her cub outside.

It was born in the week before Christmas, with Victoria having mated with Arktos, one of two male polar bears at the park.

The birth of the youngster in December was confirmed by high-pitched noises coming from inside the den.

Despite becoming more adventurous, the cub still needs regular naps throughout the day, so they are both still spending a lot of time in and around their base.

It is expected to stay with its mother for at least two years.