Highland Wildlife Park’s Senior Polar Bear Receives Geriatric Care

Keepers at the Highland Wildlife Park have confirmed that Victoria, the polar bear who was the mother of the first cub born in the UK in a quarter-century, is now receiving geriatric care. Victoria, aged 28, delivered her male cub, Hamish, at the park located near Aviemore in January 2018. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) stated that its keepers observed Victoria having difficulty keeping pace with her younger cub, Brodie, born in December 2021. The RZSS also noted that Victoria’s treatment regimen incorporates medication aimed at alleviating her joint discomfort. While polar bears in the wild typically live for 15 to 18 years, they can reach their early 30s in captivity. Victoria’s birth occurred in 1996 at Rostock Zoo in Germany. She had a prior birth at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark in 2008 before her arrival at RZSS’ Highland Wildlife Park in March 2015. Among the four polar bears residing at the park, Victoria holds the distinction of being the oldest. The other bears are Brodie, and the adult males, Arktos and Walker. The RZSS issued a statement, saying: “Our keepers noticed her struggling to keep up with Brodie, and she had stopped demonstrating some physical behaviours such as climbing on her back legs. “The vet team were asked to check on her to see if we could help. “It was clear from her movements that Victoria has some pain in her joints, likely associated with arthritis which is very common in older animals.” The organization further elaborated: “As animals age, they can become more susceptible to age-related diseases such as arthritis, heart conditions, dental problems, and vision or hearing loss. “Geriatric care involves regular health assessments to detect these issues early, allowing for timely intervention that can improve their quality of life and prevent serious complications.”