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NewsAdorable pictures show first UK-born polar bear cub for 25 years fighting...

Adorable pictures show first UK-born polar bear cub for 25 years fighting in the snow – with his mum

ADORABLE photographs show the first UK-born polar bear cub for 25 years having a playfight in the snow – with his mum.

UK's first polar bear playing in the snow with his mum
The couple who captured the moment said it was incredible to witness

Hamish, who recently turned one, bites, paws and pins down his poor mother, Victoria, during the scrap at the Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig.

And although no damage was done, Hamish was a “bit violent” and Victoria bared her teeth at him towards the end of the battle.

UK's first polar bear play fighting in the snow with his mum
Hamish is now only one years old

The pictures were taken by Paul and Lynette Clark, from Inverness, on Sunday. The couple described watching the 15-minute playfight as “an incredible experience”.

Paul and Lynette swapped over the camera as the battle unfolded, starting with Hamish gently biting at his mother’s neck.

UK's first polar bear play fighting in the snow with his mum
The Scottish bear is famous for being the UK’s first polar bear cub

He is then seen climbing on top of her and at one point, standing up on his hind legs and pushing her with his paws.

However, one picture in particular shows how she may have had enough with his antics as she can be seen growling at her son.

UK's first polar bear play fighting in the snow with his mum
Paul said the cub got a little bit violent with his mother

Bus driver Paul, 39, said: “It was an incredible experience. The fight was actually really gentle. It was like watching two puppies play.

“The mother was really careful and soft although Hamish did get a bit violent.

UK's first polar bear playing in the snow with his mum
The pair live at the RZSS Highland Wildlife Park

“His mother would just stop and give him a look every time he got a bit rough. He knew he made a mistake and would sit down. It was just incredible.”

Paul Keen, a keen amateur photographer, conceded that Lynette, 38, got the better of him in recording the fight.

Paul and Lynette Keen
The couple from Inverness photographed the play fighting last Sunday

“The better pictures were taken by my wife,” he said. “It’s like the apprentice beat the master, as she started to get into it only last year.”

RZSS Highland Wildlife Park has had a huge boost in visitor numbers thanks to Hamish. They had more than 200,000 visits last year, compared with 122,538 in 2017

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