Politicians swapped the bear pit of parliament for the bear enclosure of the Highland Wildlife Park as it marks its 50th anniversary.
SNP cabinet secretary and local MSP Kate Forbes joined Labour’s Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant in a tour.
The park opened its doors in 1972 and its attractions and conservation projects have drawn attention over five decades, including from Royal visits.
But he real stars are always the animals – so we are marking the anniversary by taking a look at some of the best pictures from its time so far.
New discovery centre planned
The MSPs visited the area on which Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre will be built.
The £5.6 million centre and its learning and conservation hubs will expand RZSS outreach and activity programmes and offer dedicated learning and event spaces.
They also got an update on the Saving Wildcats conservation project.
This week the park announced the birth of 10 more wildcat kittens under a breeding programme to save them from extinction.
The Kincraig attraction, run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, is also home to polar bears, the latest addition Brodie being born in 2021.
Its other conservation projects include the rare pine hoverfly which are bred at the park.
Vital conservation work
Earlier this month, an adult pine hoverfly was spotted in the wild in Britain for the first time in nearly 10 years.
RZSS’S Ben Supple said: “This year we are celebrating Highland Wildlife Park’s 50th anniversary and many incredible achievements during this time.
“It is more important than ever that we work together with people and communities to create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.”
Kate Forbes said the wildlife park plays a key role in encouraging visitors and the local community to engage with nature and to protect wildlife.
Rhoda Grant said the park’s research and conservation work is “a credit to the Highland region”.
Here are some of the park’s highlights in pictures from the last 50 years.
Conversation