Hasn’t she grown! Shilka prepares to leave Siberia

The first polar bear born in a Siberian zoo for 40 years is preparing to flee the nest and move to the other side of the world.

Just 11 months old, but already standing at 1.3 metres tall, Shilka has been deemed old enough to leave Russia behind for a new solo life in Brazil or Japan.

Born at Novosibirsk Zoo in December last year the cub became a worldwide star after melting the hearts of animal lovers in a series of cute pictures as she cuddled into her mother, Gerda.

And as she prepares to mark her first birthday alone in a new country next month, Shilka has already been moved from her mother’s side.

But the separation is already having an impact on heartbroken Gerda, who is clearly missing her cub and is walking around her pen looking for her.

Shilka’s father was sent to another enclosure after the birth last year, as keepers were not sure how he would behave with the cub, but he will be reunited with Gerda in February. It is hoped they will mate again in the spring and produce another baby.

Last year after capturing the amazing images of the little cub for the Siberian Times, Novosibirsk photographer Vera Salnitskaya said: 'It is almost impossible to watch them together because it is so pure a love, the kind you can only dream about. You look at them and just feel that these are the most perfect mother and daughter relations you have ever seen.'