Annual weigh-in for Highland Wildlife Park bears

The annual weigh-in of Walker and Arktos, the two polar bear residents of the Highland Wildlife Park in Inverness-shire, has taken place.

The polar bear duo were expected to have increased their combined weights by 10 per cent since their last weigh-in, which measured Walker as 446 kilos (70 stone) and Arkos as 464 kilos (73 stone) in 2012.

In line with the keepers' estimations, the two polar bears came in at a combined tonne in weight. Walker had increased to 512 kilos (80 stone) and Arkos had reached 499 kilos (78 stone).

The weigh-in procedure required a team of keepers and a mobile, heavy duty scale which was placed inside the enclosure training area. Food treats were used to tempt the polar bears onto the scales.

Knowing the weight of the bears gives the zookepers a good indication of how well they are doing, and it is also useful to know an accurate dose can be administered if the bears are ever anaesthetised.

Walker and Arktos are the only polar bears in a public collection within the UK. They live in a large custom built enclosure, which is one of the largest polar bear enclosures in the world. It was opened in 2009, and features a natural pool set across five acres of land.

Polar bears are the largest land carnivores in the world. Fully grown they can reach weights between 508 kilos (80 stone) and 698 kilos (110 stone), and heights of up to four meters (13 feet) when they are standing on their hind legs.

Image courtesy of Highland Wildlife Park