Brodie the polar bear goes on holiday to Yorkshire

Scotland’s youngest polar bear will be temporarily moving from Highland Wildlife Park to Yorkshire Wildlife Park while building work is carried out in his habitat. Keepers from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) are preparing Brodie for the move, which is due to take place in early December.

The wildlife conservation charity’s keepers are working with Brodie to practice crate training ahead of the move.  

Darren McGarry, head of living collections at RZSS, said, “While we will miss Brodie while he’s on his holidays, it is great to be able to fully concentrate on the work needed in his habitat.  

“His brother Hamish has been amazingly cared for by the team down at Yorkshire and we know they will look after Brodie with the same expertise. We can’t wait to see how they interact with each other when they are introduced in the future.”

Once settled in his holiday home, he will be introduced to his older brother, Hamish, who moved to Yorkshire from Scotland five years ago.  

Dr Charlotte MacDonald, animal director at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, said: “We are so looking forward to welcoming Brodie and seeing what he makes of his big brother Hamish and his other new friends here at Project Polar. It’ll be quite an experience for him!

“Personally, I am particularly excited as I used to work at RZSS and knew Brodie and Hamish’s mother, Victoria. She was a great mum to both boys.”

Arktos and Walker, the Highland Wildlife Park’s other male polar bears will still be visible to visitors, with their own habitat having recently been improved.

Visitors are encouraged to visit Brodie before 30 November to say goodbye before his trip to Doncaster. 

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