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Polar bear returns to wildlife park after almost a year in Yorkshire

RZSS Polar bears Brodie and Luka. Brodie has rolled on to his back while Luka is lying on the ground with his legs stretched out.RZSS
Brodie, who is on his back, with his cousin Luka

A polar bear is back at a Scottish park after spending almost a year in Yorkshire.

Brodie was born at the Highland Wildlife Park, near Aviemore, in December 2021.

He was moved temporarily to Doncaster's Yorkshire Wildlife Park Resort while maintenance work was carried out on his enclosure.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) said he had now returned north with Luka, an older bear he had developed a bond with while at the resort.

Keepers say Brodie and his cousin Luka can continue to bond at Highland Wildlife Park

Lucy Petrie, Highland Wildlife Park's animal operations manager, said: "We've all really missed Brodie so are thrilled to have him back with us.

"We'll have our work cut out. He's young, energetic, confident but also a wee bit naughty."

She added: "Brodie loves playing and testing boundaries, trying to pinch food and generally making a bit of a nuisance of himself.

"Luka is 14 so he doesn't have plenty of patience for Brodie's scampish ways. His whole attitude is 'I'm too old for this' and that really balances them out. It's a lovely relationship."

RZSS Brodie when he was cub and being given a health check in 2022. he has his mouth open and front paws up.RZSS
Brodie pictured during a health check in 2022

The Scottish park is home to two other male polar bears - Arktos and Walker.

It is also the former home of Hamish, who in 2017 was the first polar bear cub to be born in the UK in 25 years.

He now lives at Yorkshire Wildlife Park Resort.