The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has launched a public appeal to raise funds for Mercedes the polar bear.

Mercedes currently resides at Edinburgh Zoo but is set to move to the Highland Wildlife Park later this year. The original estimations put the cost of a new enclosure at £300,000.

However, a team of soldiers from the Army donated their time, skills and equipment to help build the structure of the enclosure which drastically reduced the cost to £75,000. RZSS have already raised £25,000 through generous donations from their members, but unfortunately this still leaves a deficit of £50,000.

If the fundraising appeal is successful, she will be moving to the largest polar bear enclosure in Europe. The four acre enclosure will have a large pool and will provide her with a natural tundra environment in a climate that is ideal for a polar bear.

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Mercedes, the only polar bear in a UK zoo, has been in Edinburgh since 1984. She was rescued from her native Canada after she was scheduled to be shot. Unfortunately she began roaming into a nearby town in search of food and, as they are dangerous animals, this behaviour had to be discouraged.

Initially, she was captured and the number '39' was painted on her coat, which allowed her to be tracked. On her third visit the decision was made to shoot her. Luckily, she was rescued and RZSS offered her a home at Edinburgh Zoo. Mercedes, the car company, assisted with the costs of her transport, hence her name.

Zoe Mobey, Donor Development Manager for RZSS, said: "RZSS is a charity that receives no direct funding from the government so we rely on fundraising to help us achieve ambitious projects such as this. Thanks to help from the Army we only need to raise another £50,000 which we hope to achieve as soon as possible.

"There are several ways that people can donate – online at rzss.org.uk or by calling 0131 314 0374. We have also set up a new service where members of the public can donate £1.50 by texting ZOO to 82540. As soon as we know that the funds are secured, the animal department can begin preparing for the move."

(GK/KMcA)