Watch Aleks the white tiger enjoying meal in Lincolnshire sanctuary
Two remarkable big cats who survived abandonment in war-torn Ukraine have arrived safely in the UK and are beginning a new life at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park.
Aleks, a White Tiger, and Luther (also known as Lothar), a three-year-old Eurasian Lynx, endured unimaginable conditions before their rescue. Aleks was found near Kharkiv in a critical state — emaciated, dehydrated, heavily parasitised, and suffering from organ stress. At one point he was too weak to stand, and those who found him feared he might not survive. Luther showed signs of neglect, including an old rib injury and stress-related over-grooming, evidence of the unsuited conditions in which he had been kept.
Their journey to safety required determination, international coordination, and care at every stage. The relocation involved Lincolnshire Wildlife Park, Ukrainian rescue partners Project Nadiya and Wild Animal Rescue Centre, DHL, specialist transport provider Ventura, veterinary teams, and customs authorities.
On February 25, under veterinary supervision, the two cats began their 2,600-kilometre journey in purpose-built, temperature-controlled crates. They travelled through mainland Europe to Dover before completing the final leg by road to Lincolnshire, where they were immediately examined and placed into quarantine enclosures designed for their recovery.
For Aleks and Luther, the sounds of explosions have now been replaced by quiet woodland and open space. Their road to recovery will take time, and rebuilding trust will require patience — but for the first time in years, their future is secure.
Steve Nichols, CEO of Lincolnshire Wildlife Park, said: “When you look into Aleks’ eyes, you see an animal that has survived something he never should have experienced.
"He was born in captivity — he has no wild future. Sanctuary is his only future. This mission wasn’t about headlines. It was about responsibility. It proves that when organisations work together, animals caught in human crises can still find safety.”
Lincolnshire Wildlife Park, which provides permanent sanctuary for displaced and confiscated animals, is one of the UK’s largest rescue-focused wildlife facilities. The charity aims to create an inclusive and accessible sanctuary where every interaction inspires learning and promotes a deeper understanding of animal welfare and the natural world.