White tiger saved from war zone to get new home

Officials at a wildlife park say they are hopeful a refugee white tiger will arrive before the school summer holidays after DHL stepped in to deliver it.

Lincolnshire Wildlife Park said the tiger, called Aleks, was found abandoned by medics and army volunteers in Ukraine last year and was dehydrated, infested with parasites and exhausted.

After receiving medical treatment, he is now waiting to be delivered to his new home at the park near Boston.

Steve Nichols, the park's chief executive, said: "I hope someone is in to sign for him. If they take a delivery picture and leave him near our bins it might give the neighbours a shock."

The charity said it was first asked to rehome the tiger about six months ago and staff were "buzzing" for the arrival of the "special animal".

"When they found him in the war zone, they thought he was dead. He's just been left and couldn't walk or eat. Now he's pulled through and is coming here," Mr Nichols said.

"It's going to be something really special for us and for the park. He'll be the first white tiger to go on show to the public in Lincolnshire. We're just so excited to see him."

In preparation for the tiger's arrival, the park launched a fundraising campaign to help cover the £100,000 cost of building a new enclosure.

The park, which is already home to three Bengal tigers, is planning to create a new medical ward, swimming pool, play frame and enclosure.

Mr Nichols added: "It's even going to have underfloor heating. It's going to be proper posh but these animals deserve it."

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