Polar bear returns home from Yorkshire holiday – with his new best friend

A polar bear has left Yorkshire Wildlife Park after an extended stay – but his time in Doncaster proved so successful that his cousin and new companion is heading home with him.

Brodie was at Yorkshire Wildlife Park while his habitat was being renovated but has now returned to Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig, Scotland.

But he isn't returning alone - he is bringing his cousin Luca with him, after the pair became close friends during his stay.

Brodie the polar bear returns to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's (RZSS) Highland Wildlife Park after a holiday to Yorkshire and has brought his cousin Luka with him

Brodie had taken the trip to the Doncaster park to meet his brother, a polar bear named Hamish, last November.

Brodie also became close with fourteen-year-old cousin Luka during his stay in Yorkshire.

Staff reported seeing the three polar bears socialising, playing, and snuggling up together in their enclosure.

His cousin, 14-year-old Luka, is now joining Brodie, 4, at Kincraig meaning the bears can continue to bond and keep each other company.

Animal operations manager at Highland Wildlife Park, Lucy Petrie said: “The boy is back! We’ve all really missed Brodie so are thrilled to have him back with us.

The wildlife conservation charity moved Brodie to Yorkshire Wildlife Park in November 2025 to allow for renovations to his habitat

"We’ll have our work cut out. He’s young, energetic, confident but also a wee bit naughty.

“Brodie loves playing and testing boundaries, trying to pinch food and generally making a bit of a nuisance of himself.

"Luka is fourteen so he doesn’t have plenty of patience for Brodie’s scampish ways.

"His whole attitude is ‘I’m too old for this’ and that really balances them out. It’s a lovely relationship.”