Lincolnshire Wildlife Park is preparing to welcome a remarkable new resident — a white tiger rescued from a war zone in Ukraine — and staff are hopeful he will arrive in time for the school summer holidays thanks to an unexpected logistical boost from international courier company DHL.
The tiger, named Aleks, was found abandoned by medics and army volunteers last year in a conflict-ravaged area of Ukraine. Severely dehydrated, infested with parasites, and too weak to walk or eat, Aleks was feared dead when he was first discovered.
Following months of intensive medical care and rehabilitation, Aleks has made a dramatic recovery. Now, arrangements are underway to bring him to his new permanent home at the park, located near Boston in Lincolnshire. DHL has offered to transport the tiger as part of its charitable animal logistics programme.
Steve Nichols, chief executive of Lincolnshire Wildlife Park, said his team is “buzzing” about Aleks’ arrival. “When they found him in the war zone, they thought he was dead,” Nichols said. “He’s just been left and couldn’t walk or eat. Now he’s pulled through and is coming here.”
Park staff were approached about six months ago to rehome Aleks and have since launched a fundraising campaign to finance a new, purpose-built enclosure that will house the rare white tiger. The cost of construction has been estimated at £100,000, and features will include underfloor heating, a medical ward, a swimming pool, and a play frame.
“It’s going to be proper posh,” Nichols added. “But these animals deserve it.”
The enclosure will mark a significant milestone for the park, which already houses three Bengal tigers but has never before showcased a white tiger to the public. “It’s going to be something really special for us and for the park,” said Nichols. “He’ll be the first white tiger to go on show in Lincolnshire. We’re just so excited to see him.”
Nichols injected some humour into the situation, joking about the high-profile delivery. “I hope someone is in to sign for him,” he said. “If they take a delivery picture and leave him near our bins it might give the neighbours a shock.”
White tigers are a rare variant of the Bengal tiger and are not albinos but rather a result of a genetic mutation that produces their distinctive white coats with black or dark brown stripes. Their rarity and beauty make them popular in zoos and wildlife sanctuaries, though they have often faced controversial breeding practices.
Lincolnshire Wildlife Park, which operates as a charity, said that welcoming Aleks is not just a rescue mission but also an opportunity to raise awareness about the plight of animals affected by war and environmental crisis.
As the park completes preparations for Aleks’ arrival, public interest continues to build. The park hopes that his presence will draw crowds during the busy summer period and inspire further support for its wildlife rescue initiatives.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
