Meet Brodie - Scotland's youngest polar bear cub
Footage of his first steps outside at the Highland Wildlife Park has been released
The UK’s youngest polar bear cub has been named.
Brodie,a Scottish word meaning second son, was born in December at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Highland Wildlife Park.
His name was chosen by Brian Whitehead, the winner of a recent prize draw run by RZSS to raise funds for Scotland's Wildlife Discovery Centre.
Brodie is the second cub born to parents Victoria and Arktos.
The pair previously had another male cub, Hamish, in December 2017 which was the first polar bear born in the UK in 25 years.
He was moved to Yorkshire Wildlife Park in November 2020 as part of a breeding programme.
New footage of Brodie has been released to mark the announcement of his name.
It shows the cub taking his first steps outside in his enclosure.
Public viewing for Brodie and mum Victoria will now open from Monday 28 March but staff at the park are advising visitors the cub may only be visible for small periods of time to begin with.
Vickie Larkin, carnivore team leader at Highland Wildlife Park said, “We are so excited for visitors to finally see little Brodie and want to remind everyone they must book their tickets in advance.
“He is doing very well and is growing more confident every day. It is important to be aware Brodie may only be visible for short spurts to begin with as he starts to explore his enclosure and grow stronger on his feet. After a lap of his enclosure, our wee cub enjoys a good snooze in the den with mum.
“Like the other polar bears here at the park, Brodie will act as an ambassador for his cousins in the wild. Seeing cubs like this up close is a great way to connect with nature and raise awareness of the plight the species faces in the wild.”
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