We look at how winter changes the lives of animals and keepers at Scotland’s Highland Wildlife Park
WORDS: ALEX CORLETT
The history of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) stretches back to 1909, when it was founded by lawyer Thomas Gillespie. Four years later, Edinburgh Zoo opened on an 85-acre site just a short hop from the heart of the city.
The Society bought Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig after a further 73 years. Situated in the Cairngorms National Park, a stone’s throw from Aviemore and Kingussie, it houses over 200 animals and is ideally placed to offer homes to those that prefer wilder weather and accommodation.
Arctic foxes, wolves and reindeer share the park with polar bears, Scottish wildcats and four snow leopards, amongst others, and many of them relish a sprinkling of winter snow.
There are two teams of keepers at the park: the hoofstock team and the carnivore team.
Vickie Larkin, carnivore team leader, tells us about the job, and how it changes during the challenging Highland winters.
“The stunning views aren’t the only thing that take your breath away here at Highland Wildlife Park in the winter – the sub-zero temperatures do a good job of that, too!” she says.
“As soon as the weather turns, we have to don our woolly hats, gloves and thermals.
“Some mornings it’s so cold that our padlocks are frozen shut. It can take us a while to defrost them, as well as the taps.
“In 2021, we recorded temperatures of minus fourteen degrees Celsius. The meat for the carnivores takes longer to defrost, too, so we have to get it out earlier in the day.
“On snowy days, we spend extra time clearing snow from enclosure roofs and away from electric fences.
“Most of the animals love the snow, and it is so easy to get distracted watching the polar bears sliding down the hill or the wolverines skidding across their frozen pond.
“As a team, we enjoy building snowmen for some of the animals, too.”
Vickie explains that the animals at Kincraig are unique.
“The species at the park are found in the world’s mountains and tundra habitats, so they are cold weather adapted.
“However, we do see some of our animals change their activities during the winter.
“Our wolverines are generally more active in the snow. Some animals are really designed for cold winter mornings, like our herd of European bison, who look magnificent with a coating of frost on their backs.
