An American military unit has been drafted in to help build a new love nest for a female polar bear in the Highlands.
Highland Wildlife Park are awaiting the arrival of the female next spring where she will get to know the park’s current residents Walker and Arktos, Scotland’s only male polar bears.
Park bosses hope that the new arrival could lead to breeding cubs in the future.
Polar bear cubs have not been bred in Scotland since 1992.
Preparations are well underway with the arrival of a 60 strong contingent from the 71 Engineer Regiment from the South Dakota National Guard.
The engineers have kicked off work on the new 984ft walkway and 2.5 acre polar bear enclosure being developed on the south west side of the Kingussie park.
The project began last week and will run through until Thursday, September 18.
Steven Plowman, Highland Wildlife Park property and estates manager, said: “I was approached by the military personnel to see if we could offer them a task for their operatives; they were looking to do practical engineering work within the local community that allowed them to create something permanent for people to enjoy for many years to come. A win win for all.”
Douglas Richardson, animals collection manager for the Highland Wildlife Park, added: “We are delighted to be welcoming a female polar bear to the park next spring.
“It is still to be agreed exactly which female will arrive in the Highlands, but we hope to have confirmation shortly.
“The female will remain separate from the males, as she would in the wild, and during the breeding season we will introduce her to one of our males – likely Arktos to start with as he is the older of our boys. The two will spend some time together and we hope nature will take its course.”
The new enclosure will feature a pond for the female to play in and plenty of natural ground for her to run and roll around on. In addition to the main enclosure, adjacent will be a smaller holding enclosure, also featuring a pond, for when the male comes to visit.