Expert vets and keepers at Highland Wildlife Park in Scotland have announced that the UK’s youngest polar bear cub, born in December 2021, is a boy.
Mum Victoria previously gave birth to Hamish, the UK’s first polar bear cub in 25 years, in December 2017.
The wildlife conservation charity confirmed the three-month-old cub is male during his first routine health check last week, where he was chipped, vaccinated and confirmed to be in good health.
Keith Gilchrist, animal collection manager at Highland Wildlife Park, said: “After watching Victoria and her cub closely on CCTV over the winter, it is very exciting to find out we have a little boy and that he is in good health. He is already becoming more confident every day and it is incredible to see him grow and develop.
“In the coming weeks we are going to be asking the public for their help in naming our newest arrival.”
Public viewing is still closed to give Victoria and her youngster lots of peace and quiet. In a few weeks, the cub will be introduced to his large outdoor enclosure, where visitors will be able to try and spot him. The cub’s dad Arktos and the park’s other male polar bear, Walker, can still be spotted in their enclosure.
View updated footage of the polar bear cub and mum Victoria below:
Main image and video credit: RZSS
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