Hello there – I’m Mercedes
Jul 5th, 2009 | By mervi | Category: Featured articles5.7.2009 posted by Ralph – Source The Zoo Edinburgh
Mercedes, the only polar bear in a UK zoo, has been in Edinburgh since 1984. She was rescued from her native Canada after she was scheduled to be shot. Unfortunately, she roamed into a nearby town in search of food and, as they are dangerous animals, this behaviour had to be discouraged. Initially, she was captured and the number ‘39’ was painted on her coat which allowed her to be tracked. On her third visit the decision was made to shoot her. Luckily, one of the Society’s life members enlisted the help of her cousin, a former Minister of Fisheries in Canada, who helped RZSS save her and provide a new home. Mercedes, the car company, assisted with the costs of her transport, hence her name.
When Mercedes first arrived she was paired with a male polar bear, Barney. They had two cubs, To-Nuik and Ohoto. For the past fifteen years Mercedes has been our only polar bear – which is the natural social state for this solitary animal. Mercedes’ keepers provide the highest possible standards of care and whilst her enclosure is adequate to meet her needs, public perception has always been that they would like to see her in a larger enclosure.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is one of Scotland’s leading charities devoted to the conservation of endangered species and their habitats. Our charitable work includes breeding programmes for threatened species, providing unique learning experiences for visitors and schools, and supporting conservation and research projects across the globe, including Scotland.
As a charity with no direct government funding we rely on fundraising to further our work. As we mark our centenary year, we look to the future and have ambitious plans for our animal collection, parks and charitable work. To turn them into reality we need to raise funds. One of the most exciting projects that donations will fund is the creation of a new, world-class home for Mercedes, our polar bear.
This year we would like to re-house Mercedes in a brand new £300,000 home at the Highland Wildlife Park, where we will create the largest polar bear enclosure in Europe. Mercedes new home will feature a large natural pool set in over four acres of land, which is typical of the polar bear’s tundra environment. Visitors will be able to watch Mercedes from both the main reserve and from a brand-new viewing platform at the top of the hill, which will provide a unique insight into the natural behaviour of this wonderful and yet sadly endangered mammal.
The Society is delighted that the army have pledged to contribute their time and machinery to develop this state-of-the-art home for Mercedes. This means that our £300,000 enclosure will cost only £75,000, which we hope to raise from fundraising and donations.
Hello Mercedes! Welcome to our world! I’m sorry we almost forgot that there’s a lovely polar bear lady in Scotland. Thank you Ralph for reminging us.
Hugs from Mervi
Oh, Mercedes! You are a lucky lady…you will have a paradise for your new home! xo k-j
Dear Ralph,
I have just sent an e-mail to you. Mercedes is a companion for me ever since I heard about her in February via an article I got from a friend.She and her story brought me to digging in wide circles through layers and layers concerning bears in the UK. So just for starters I will be too pleased to summarize this article in German in the K-Files, I will do it now quickly and cross post it here in my column…Hope it is OK with you…
Her story is too interesting, I would like everybody to know about her!
Thanks for posting this article and finding the update of the zoo, you have no idea how long it took them to come out with this photo of her showing the 39 number….
Ok, now to work!
Bear hugs
Birgit
Ralph,
Thank you for introducing us to Mercedes. That is really great that the army is donating its time and equipment to make her a new home.
Sarsam
Thank the Lord this beautiful creature was not shot. And thank you Ralph for introducing Mercedes to us.
Mercedes ~ one fine, lovely polar bear lady ~ may she live a long, productive life. Polar BH’s, Tish
Oh, Mercedes! What a wonderful name for a lovely polar bear lady:))
Ralph, thank you for the story.
Alex