Our dedicated discovery rangers are on hand throughout the day to bring you amazing animal facts, stories and behind-the-scenes insight to how Highland Wildlife Park cares for the animals you love.

Talks vary each day, ask on arrival or take a look at one of our signs around the park for species, times and locations.

Example talks

Snow leopard cub sat on platform looking to the left. IMAGE: Amy Middleton 2023

Snow leopards

Snow leopards are a charismatic ambassador for the Himalayan ecosystem, by protecting the “ghosts of the mountain” we can protect all sorts of species including Pallas’s cat through the PICA project. 

Polar bear cub Brodie looking at camera with tongue out [eye contact] IMAGE: Amy Middleton 2022

Polar bears: Victoria and Brodie

How a polar bear grows up with its mother, what they eat in the wild and at the park, and the adaptations they have developed to survive in a frozen and watery landscape. 

Amur tiger lying on wooden plinth Image: Amy Middleton

Amur tigers

The biggest big cat, and the only cold adapted tiger. What family life is like as the cubs grow up to become independent. The world’s fiercest cat is in a fragile situation what does RZSS do to protect tigers, and what can we as citizens do to support tiger conservation. 

Wildcat head close up looking to the left IMAGE: Laura Moore 2020

Wildcats

Scotland’s wildcats are on the brink of extinction after hundreds of years of persecution and habitat loss, followed by breeding with domestic cats (known as hybridisation). Now critically endangered in Britain, there are barely a handful left and scientific research has confirmed the species will not survive without help. 

Arctic fox standing amongst grass and purple flowers Image Amy Middleton 2022

Arctic foxes

Learn all about our Arctic fox family Sarah, Jack and Toots. The Arctic fox is best known for its pristine, white winter coat, however during the summer, the coat becomes dark on the upper side, with light grey or white underneath and is half as thick.

Two Japanese macaques cuddled together sitting in the snow IMAGE: Laura Moore 2020

Japanese macaques (snow monkeys)

Discover how we relate to the rest of the primate family, the social nuances of life as a monkey, and how Japanese macaques are the only primate (aside from humans) who have braved the cold.