The UK's only female polar bear has failed to get pregnant, her keepers say.

Victoria mated with a male bear at the Highland Wildlife Park last year and she was removed from display in late October.

It was unclear if she was pregnant as there is no test for polar bears.

Victoria's keepers say the last date she could have given birth has now passed.

Douglas Richardson, head of living collections at the Highland Wildlife Park, said: "Although we never knew for certain that she was pregnant as there is no proven pregnancy test for polar bears, all of the observed behaviours indicated that Victoria might be and it was appropriate for us to manage her as if she was.

"Last year provided very valuable behavioural observations and it gave us a better insight into Victoria's specific personality and preferences, which will be used to inform how we proceed with her in 2017. She is now back on show to visitors."

If Victoria had given birth, it would have been the first time polar bear cubs were born in the UK for almost 25 years.

Before they moved in together, Arktos and Victoria were seen sleeping by the fence which divided their enclosures and trying to touch through the barrier.

They later began following one another around and resting their heads each other, behaviour seen in wild polar bears during the mating process.