UK's oldest polar bear euthanised at Scots wildlife park after months of geriatric care
Victoria, who was 28, was homed at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)'s Highland Wildlife Park.
The UK's oldest polar bear has died after suffering 'age-related health problems', forcing conservation vets to euthanise her.
Victoria, who was 28, was homed at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)'s Highland Wildlife Park.
Her keepers confirmed she was put to sleep on Tuesday after advice from vets.
Officials at the RSZZ said in a statement: 'The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is sad to share the loss of Victoria, the UK's oldest polar bear, who had been experiencing age related health problems and receiving geriatric care.
"Taking into account her quality of life and wellbeing, our wildlife conservation charity's vets advised that Victoria should be put to sleep."
Officials say only a small percentage of polar bears surpass 18 in the wild, with Victoria's age a testament to the"world class care" she received.
Their statement added: "She leaves an incredible legacy through her cubs who play an essential role in the European breeding programme, which ensures a healthy and genetically diverse population of these bears living in human care."
Victoria had been receiving geriatric care since December of last year. She was mum to Hamish, who was the first polar cub to be born in the UK in 25 years when he was born in 2017, followed by Brodie in 2021.
The aging polar bear shared an enclosure at a park in the Cairngorms, Brodie aged three.
In December the RZSS said keepers noticed Victoria was struggling to keep up with Brodie. They found she had stopped demonstrating some physical behaviours such as climbing on her back legs.
Vets discovered Victoria was suffering from joint pain likely to be arthritis.
She was given medication to manage the pain, and vets told in their December update how the treatment had 'given her a new lease of life'.
Victoria spent just over 10 years at the Highland Wildlife Park after arriving in March 2015.
Born in 1996 at Rostock Zoo in Germany, she first became a mother after giving birth at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark in 2008, to a female cub called Malik.
Victoria would have been in her 90s in human years.
David Field, RZSS CEO, added, 'Victoria was an excellent mother and seeing her bring up two big, healthy boys has been a joy for our charity's dedicated teams and the hundreds of thousands of visitors who have flocked to see the family, and learn more about the threats these amazing animals face in the wild.'
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The RZSS drew on the experiences of other zoos and studies of polar skeletal remains to help understand wear and tear on the animals bodies.
Healthcare provided to domestic cats and dogs also helped guide the care of Victoria.
The park has had an elderly polar bear before.
Mercedes died at the park in April 2011 at the age of 30.
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