Dave Thompson MSP

NEWS that Mercedes, an elderly polar bear being cared for at the Highland Wildlife Park, is suffering from a painful bone disease linked to her advancing years has prompted Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson to contact her keepers to reassure himself that she is receiving the best care possible.

After contacting the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which runs the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig, Mr Thompson said: "I was keen to ensure everything possible was being done for Mercedes because, as one of the only two polar bears in Britain on public view, she is an iconic animal and animal lovers all over the world will be eager to know she is still able to enjoy a high quality of life in her new Highland home.

"Her time at Kincraig and the subsequent arrival of Walker, a younger breeding male, has established this small Highland village as an important centre for the international breeding programme to help protect this species which is endangered by the effect of global warming on their diminishing Arctic homeland.

"Because of the excellent conditions and expertise available at Kincraig, zoos around the world and organisers of the international breeding programme are keen to accept the Highland Wildlife Park as a vital player in the polar bear breeding programme and that was one of the major factors behind the arrival of Walker, a healthy young breeding male, from a zoo in Amsterdam.

"The presence of Mercedes and Walker at Kincraig has also added a huge new tourist attraction for the Highlands so it is vital that they are seen to be accommodated in the very best of conditions and care. I am pleased to say that my own enquiries into their living conditions has demonstrated to me that these are vastly better than Mercedes saw at Edinburgh Zoo before being moved to Kincraig and are among the best in the world.

"I am confident that access to a team of internationally-respected vets from the Royal Zoological Society and the Highland Wildlife Park's own dedicated animal keepers mean that Mercedes is in the right place to receive all she needs to ensure her later years are as comfortable as possible."

Notes:

Mercedes is being treated with a combination of drugs for osteoarthritis. These include drugs to tackle pain and also to reduce inflammation.

Douglas Richardson, Animal Collection Manager at the Highland Wildlife Park commented: “Mercedes is 30 years old, which is extremely old for a polar bear, and it is to be expected that her health may be deteriorating.  Despite her mobility and joints not being what they once were, Mercedes still currently enjoys a good quality of life here at the Highland Wildlife Park.  We constantly liaise closely with both our internal vet team and external experts and our team of keepers are on hand to give her all the care she needs.

Simon Girling, a vet for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, added: “Mercedes suffers from advanced osteoarthritis, for which there is unfortunately no cure.  This condition is seen in most elderly polar bears both in the wild and in captivity.  We’re managing her condition with various medications and pain relief, and we’re currently trying her on some new medication.

“If Mercedes deteriorates further in the future and begins to suffer, it is probable that with sadness we will have to consider humane euthanasia on the grounds of health and welfare.  However, we are not at this stage yet.”