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UK's oldest polar bear put down at Highland Wildlife Park UK's oldest polar bear put down at Highland Wildlife Park
(about 4 hours later)
Victoria, who was 28, had been receiving geriatric care Victoria, the UK's oldest polar bear, put down as health fails
The UK's oldest polar bear has been euthanised due to her deteriorating health, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has said.The UK's oldest polar bear has been euthanised due to her deteriorating health, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has said.
Victoria, who was 28, was the mother of Hamish, who in January 2018 was the first polar bear cub to be born in the UK in 25 years. Victoria, who was 28, was the mother of Hamish, who in December 2017 was the first polar bear cub to be born in the UK in 25 years.
Her keepers at RZSS' Highland Wildlife Park said she had been receiving geriatric care, and the decision to end her life on Tuesday was taken on the advice of vets.Her keepers at RZSS' Highland Wildlife Park said she had been receiving geriatric care, and the decision to end her life on Tuesday was taken on the advice of vets.
Victoria had shared an enclosure at the park, near Aviemore, with her second cub Brodie, aged three.Victoria had shared an enclosure at the park, near Aviemore, with her second cub Brodie, aged three.
The Highland Wildlife Park also has two adult male bears, 16-year-old Walker and Arktos, who is 17 and is the father of Hamish and Brodie.The Highland Wildlife Park also has two adult male bears, 16-year-old Walker and Arktos, who is 17 and is the father of Hamish and Brodie.
Hamish was moved in 2020 to Doncaster's Yorkshire Wildlife Park Resort, where he is one of six polar bears.Hamish was moved in 2020 to Doncaster's Yorkshire Wildlife Park Resort, where he is one of six polar bears.
Polar bears can live into their early 30s, but survive an average of 15 to 18 years in the wild.Polar bears can live into their early 30s, but survive an average of 15 to 18 years in the wild.
Victoria's keepers said 28 was the equivalent of her being in her 90s in human years.Victoria's keepers said 28 was the equivalent of her being in her 90s in human years.
RZSS said in December that keepers had noticed Victoria was struggling to keep up with Brodie.RZSS said in December that keepers had noticed Victoria was struggling to keep up with Brodie.
Her specialist care included medication to give her relief from joint pain.Her specialist care included medication to give her relief from joint pain.
Victoria's diet included cod liver oil, lard, salmon oil and oily fish like sardines, mackerel and salmon.Victoria's diet included cod liver oil, lard, salmon oil and oily fish like sardines, mackerel and salmon.
The food was given in an attempt to achieve the benefits she would have enjoyed from eating seals in the wild.The food was given in an attempt to achieve the benefits she would have enjoyed from eating seals in the wild.
Hamish was born in 2018 Hamish was born in 2017
Victoria with Hamish before her cub was moved to a zoo in DoncasterVictoria with Hamish before her cub was moved to a zoo in Doncaster
The RZSS said: "We are sad to share the loss of Victoria, the UK's oldest polar bear, who was experiencing age-related health problems and had been receiving geriatric care.The RZSS said: "We are sad to share the loss of Victoria, the UK's oldest polar bear, who was experiencing age-related health problems and had been receiving geriatric care.
"Taking into account her quality of life and wellbeing, our wildlife conservation charity's vets advised that Victoria should be put to sleep.""Taking into account her quality of life and wellbeing, our wildlife conservation charity's vets advised that Victoria should be put to sleep."
It added: "She leaves an incredible legacy through her cubs who play an essential role in the European breeding programme, which ensures a healthy and genetically diverse population of these bears living in human care."It added: "She leaves an incredible legacy through her cubs who play an essential role in the European breeding programme, which ensures a healthy and genetically diverse population of these bears living in human care."
Victoria was born in 1996 at Rostock Zoo in Germany and had previously given birth at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark in 2008.Victoria was born in 1996 at Rostock Zoo in Germany and had previously given birth at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark in 2008.
While at Aalborg she gave birth to a female cub called Malik.While at Aalborg she gave birth to a female cub called Malik.
She arrived at RZSS' Highland Wildlife Park in March 2015.She arrived at RZSS' Highland Wildlife Park in March 2015.
Victoria gave birth to Brodie in 2021Victoria gave birth to Brodie in 2021
Brodie, top, with VictoriaBrodie, top, with Victoria
During Victoria's later care, RZSS drew on the experiences of other zoos and studies of polar bear skeletal remains to help understand wear and tear on the animals' bodies.During Victoria's later care, RZSS drew on the experiences of other zoos and studies of polar bear skeletal remains to help understand wear and tear on the animals' bodies.
Healthcare provided to domestic cats and dogs also helped guide the care of Victoria.Healthcare provided to domestic cats and dogs also helped guide the care of Victoria.
The park has had an elderly polar bear before.The park has had an elderly polar bear before.
Mercedes died at the park in April 2011 at the age of 30.Mercedes died at the park in April 2011 at the age of 30.