History
The Highland Wildlife Park was opened in 1972 and has been run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (which also operates the Edinburgh Zoo) since 1986. The park is open every day of the year, weather permitting.
In 1980 the park was made famous by obtaining "Felicity the Puma", a Puma that was reputedly captured nearby by a farmer. The Puma lived out her days in the park and is now on show stuffed in the Inverness museum. In the past the park has also been the home to several examples of the famous "Kellas cat".
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, owner and administrator of the Highland Wildlife Park, altered the theme of the park in 2007 from native species of the Highlands, to species from tundra and mountainous habitats around the world. This move is an attempt to bring the park closer to the working practices of the RZSS's main site, Edinburgh Zoo as well as to increase visitor numbers which had been virtually static for some years.
Although the park was in need of serious investment for some years, many locals to the area as well as frequent visitors believe that this move would distance the park from its hitherto unique attraction as a place to see native species in their natural habitat, and will eventually turn the park into another safari park filled with ever more exotic animals in an attempt to attract more of the area's visitors.
In defence to this view, the RZSS claims that the new animals in the park's collection are for the most part extremely endangered, and their presence at the park will help safeguard their future, as well as demonstrating the Highlands' place in the global ecosystem.
However, critics said that many of the animals which were lost in the first wave of alterations (Badgers, Red Foxes, Soay Sheep, Highland Cattle, Polecat) may not have been endangered in the Highlands, but were the kinds of animals that visitors associate with the Highlands and would be extremely lucky to have seen in person during their stay.
The first animals to arrive were two Bharals in February 2007, closely followed by Markhor and Yak at Easter. Kiang followed and the first Japanese Macaques came at the end of June 2007.
In 2008 Bactrian wapiti, Chinese grey goral, Mishmi takin, red panda, Himalayan tahr, Carpathian lynx, Afghan urial, European elk, and kiang all arrived, some coming from Edinburgh Zoo.
2008 also saw the arrival of a purpose built aviary for Himalayan snowcock. The park also had several Mishmi takin, kiang, markhor and urial births.
The new Amur tiger enclosure has opened at the park, costing £400,000. It is now home to a pair of tigers, Sasha and Yuri a proven breeding pair from Edinburgh zoo. On 11 May, three cubs were born and are now taking their first steps into the main enclosure under the watchful eye of mum Sasha. Births in 2009 also include first breedings at the park for European elk and Himalayan tahr.
A new exhibit for a pair of European wolves opened in 2011 as well as a new exhibit for Pallas cats. A bachelor herd of vicuna arrived from Edinburgh zoo. European cranes also arrived. The Pallas cats have bred, raising 3 kittens. There are new aviaries for snowy and great grey owls. Two female musk ox have arrived at the park from Holland, they are a mother/daughter pair and are the first musk ox imported into the UK in over 20 years. Five female white lipped deer have arrived at the park from Edinburgh zoo, these are the only females of their species in the UK. A new enclosure for European forest reindeer has been built next to the European wolves. A new male polar bear and male Amur tiger arrived at the park. 5 European wolves a Japanese serow and 2 northern lynx were born in 2012 a male musk ox arrived from Sweden, 2 red pandas also joined the collection. A new Chinese grey goral enclosure has been constructed, their former enclosure is being developed for wolverine
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