The first polar bear born in the UK this century could be sent from Scotland to a new home overseas.
Hamish made history when he was born at the Highland Wildlife Park in Invernessshire in December 2017.
For more than two years, the cub has delighted visitors to the attraction with his antics.
However, he is now approaching the age when he would naturally separate from his mother in the wild.
As part of a European breeding programme for the species, a search has now begun to find him a new home.
Vicky Larkin, the Highland Wildlife Park’s head carnivore keeper, said: “Cubs would normally leave their mums at between two and three years old.
“Hamish is still suckling from his mum, which means their bond is still very strong, but they are spending more time apart than they used to.
“We’ve been in touch with the European Endangered Species Programme so we’re waiting on details from the coordinator as to where he should go and when.
“We are just waiting for the studbook keeper to find somewhere.”
Hamish wont be fully grown for another three years, but is already slightly bigger than his mother, Victoria.
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