First UK polar bear in 25 years born at Scottish zoo

EDINBURGH: A polar bear cub has been born in Britain for the first time in 25 years, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland said on Wednesday.

Mother polar bear Victoria is believed to have given birth at the Highland Wildlife Park in northeastern Scotland after staff heard high pitched cries in late December. “We first heard promising noises in the week before Christmas and these have now continued into the new year,” said Una Richardson, the park’s head keeper.

“Because we don´t have sight inside her cubbing box we can´t be sure if Victoria has had more than one cub but we can confirm the birth,” she added. Polar bears are known for their need for privacy and new- borns are extremely delicate, so the maternity den is closed to visitors at the zoo.