C4 Commissions Polar Bear Cub Documentary

Channel 4 has commissioned exclusive access documentary 'Britain's Polar Bear Cub'.

The hour-long programme, filmed by Channel 4 and STV Productions, is to detail the breeding and birth of the first polar cub to be born in the UK for 25 years.

Britain's Polar Bear Cub was filmed over 2 years, and follows the pioneering polar bear breeding programme at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Highland Wildlife Park.

Throughout the documentary keepers are to attempt to mate Victoria, Britain's only female polar bear, with male Arktos in the hope that she gives birth to a cub.

It will delve into the extraordinary biology of polar bears, how they mate and how they raise their young, as well as exploring the role polar bear breeding in captivity has to play in the species' future survival.

Peter Collins, Executive Producer at STV Productions, said: "The tireless dedication of the keepers, combined with Victoria's incredible journey, makes for a compelling story we were keen to tell. Underlying this, there's an important conservation message to share for the future."

"We are very excited to be able to commission this film from STV Productions in Scotland," Tom Porter, Commissioning Editor, Channel 4 said. "It is a fascinating story about one of the world's most totemic creatures which touches the heart but also brings into focus some of the most pressing environmental issues facing the planet."

Barbara Smith, Chief Executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said: "The birth of the first polar bear in the UK for 25 years is a tremendous achievement and testament to the team at our Highland Wildlife Park, where we have developed a world-leading polar bear management programme. We have been delighted to work with STV Productions and Channel 4 to tell this story as it is vital to raise awareness of the ever-increasing threats polar bears face in the wild and to do all we can to safeguard the future of this magnificent species."