Highland Wildlife Park has said a tender goodbye to one of its most cherished residents, as Victoria, the UK’s oldest polar bear, was peacefully put to sleep following a decline in her health.
At 28 years old, Victoria had long outlived the average lifespan of polar bears in the wild, a reflection of the extraordinary love and care she received from the devoted team at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.
Born in Germany in December 1996, she lived an extraordinary life that spanned countries and generations.
Victoria arrived in the Cairngorms in 2015 and swiftly won hearts, both among staff and the thousands of visitors who came to see her.
But it was in 2017 that she made headlines across the UK, giving birth to Hamish, the first polar bear cub born in the country for a quarter of a century.
His arrival was met with national celebration, and Victoria became a symbol of hope for polar bear conservation.
In 2021 she gave birth once again, this time to Brodie, further cementing her place in the story of this endangered species.
Victoria was more than a mother, though she was a wonderful one.
She raised two healthy cubs who now play vital roles in the European breeding programme, helping to safeguard the genetic diversity of polar bears in human care.
Her keepers recall her as gentle but strong-willed, fiercely maternal, and always full of quiet charisma.
David Field, CEO of RZSS, paid tribute to her legacy.
“Victoria was an excellent mother,” he said.
“Seeing her raise two big, healthy boys has been a joy for our dedicated teams and the hundreds of thousands of visitors who came to learn about these incredible animals.”
As age took its toll and health problems increased, the team made the compassionate decision to let her go, prioritising her dignity and comfort above all.
It was a heartbreaking choice, but one made with deep love and respect.
In the wild, very few polar bears make it beyond 18.
That Victoria reached 28 is testament to the exceptional care she received every day of her life in the Highlands.
She leaves behind more than memories.
She leaves a legacy of life, learning and conservation, and two sons who continue the work she began.
She also leaves behind a park forever shaped by her presence, and a public who adored her.
Victoria’s spirit will remain in the wind that sweeps across the enclosure, in the eyes of every cub to come, and in the hearts of all who watched her roam.
