The UK’s First Polar Bear Cub in 25 Years Was Just Born in Scotland

The polar bear population at Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig, Scotland grew by one this past holiday season. Victoria, a female polar bear who arrived at the park last year, has just given birth to a cub—the UK’s first in 25 years.

According to the BBC, park officials heard "promising noises" emitting from Victoria’s enclosure beginning in December. She had been introduced to Arktos, one of two male bears at the facility, for mating purposes. The two apparently hit it off, as staff believe Victoria is now looking after at least one offspring.

Why aren't they sure? Because polar bears can be quick to kill or abandon cubs if their bonding time is interrupted, park officials are giving her a wide berth. They can't see directly into her cubbing box, which was prepared specifically to give her privacy. Victoria even managed to dislodge a security camera, leaving only audio evidence of the cub's existence.

Officials believe mother and child will emerge on their own sometime in March. If the cub survives, it's expected to bring increased attention to the facility. When the London Zoo debuted a polar bear cub in 1949, attendance went from 1.1 million to over 3 million annually. Knut, a star at the Berlin Zoo, sold millions in merchandise at the height of his fame in 2007.