Highland Wildlife Park's polar bear to be weighed

The UK's only polar bear is to be weighed to help her keepers determine the state of her health.

Mercedes was moved from Edinburgh Zoo to the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig in the Cairngorms Park last year.

Her estimated age of 29 is old for a polar bear, but wildlife park staff said she was healthy and in good condition.

Mercedes has been "trained" to step on to mechanical scales set up in her enclosure.

Animal collection manager Douglas Richardson said the scales were in a small passage which connects her two roofed den areas.

He said: "Although Mercedes is actually quite gentle for a polar bear, we still need to be very careful when working close to her, even when separated by a wall of steel mesh, as she is very capable of harming any one of us."

Mr Richardson added: "The real drive to get her weighed accurately is to allow us to carry out a comprehensive health check.

"She gives all the signs of being in perfect health, but she is at the upper end of a polar bear's lifespan and we want to ensure that we are not missing any potential age-related problems that may reduce her quality of life if they are not dealt with.

"All wild animals are pre-conditioned to hide illness to avoid predation or harassment, and a zoo polar bear is no exception, so her pending health check is very important."

in reference to: BBC News - Highland Wildlife Park's polar bear to be weighed (view on Google Sidewiki)