Commenting on the news that Mercedes the polar bear has been put to sleep at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig, following a period of deteriorating health, local MP Danny Alexander said:

"Mercedes was my largest and probably one of my most popular constituents. She will be greatly missed, but I am glad that her final years were spent in the world class Highland home that was built for her in Kincraig. These past couple of winters, she could almost have been in the Arctic itself.

"Her journey north reflected a welcome transformation in the treatment of polar bears in captivity. Sadly, her life has also seen the wild polar bear population become much more precarious due to melting sea ice and loss of habitat. Walker and other polar bears in captivity will, I am sure, continue to do their bit to help - not least by inspiring visitors and highlighting the changes we need to make to prevent these mighty animals becoming a thing of the past."