‘A lasting memory’ – Wildlife park unveils memorial to visitors’ favourite Nigel

The statue now stands proudly outside his former enclosure at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park in Friskney, alongside a memorial board telling the story of his many challenges and triumphs.

Park owner and CEO Steve Nichols said supporters had travelled from across the county to see the sculpture and pay their respects.

“I cannot go anywhere in Lincolnshire without people mentioning Nigel’s name,” he said.

Nigel arrived at the park at around 10 months old with exotropia, a condition that causes both eyes to turn outward. Mr Nichols said he was “a really nice, skinny little cat who was very timid and very frightened” when he first came to Friskney.

Over time, the pair formed a close bond.

“He developed a bit of an affinity with me and we ended up being quite good mates,” he said.

The sculpture, created by local artist Andreolli Christian, shows Nigel perched on a plinth, ears pricked and staring straight ahead. The £5,500 memorial was funded entirely through donations raised within a week of his death.

Nigel’s life was marked by resilience. After settling into his new home and becoming something of a social media star, he developed a tumour which had to be removed. Later, he required surgery after swallowing a piece of rubber sponge from a toy.

He also developed arthritis, which ultimately led to the amputation of one of his legs. Despite the major operation, Mr Nichols said Nigel bounced back quickly.

“When he came out of the amputation, he thought he was a kitten again. We had to slow him down – he didn’t realise he’d just been through a major operation.”

In his later years, Nigel developed arthritis in another leg. In June 2025, at the age of 13, the difficult decision was made to put him to sleep.

“Rather than him go through any form of pain whatsoever, we made the heart-wrenching decision that his days with us had come to an end,” Mr Nichols said.

His death prompted an outpouring of grief online, with hundreds of messages from supporters.

Thanking those who contributed to the memorial fund, the park said it was grateful to “each and every one” who donated and joined them for the unveiling. Mr Nichols added: “It is absolutely wonderful and it’s a lasting memory to Nigel.”

Video tributes to Nigel have been shared on the park’s social media pages, and a limited number of resin casts of his paws are still available to purchase as keepsakes via the park’s website at lincswildlife.com/product/exclusive-nigel-paw/