Park mourns death of 'happiest ever' tiger

Lincolnshire Wildlife Park's popular tiger Dehra has died, aged 16

Owners of a wildlife park have said they are "devastated" after the death of popular Bengal tiger Dehra.

The 16-year-old died earlier after she was discovered to be suffering from kidney failure.

Along with her three cubs, she was the first tiger to arrive at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park near Boston, Lincolnshire, in 2014, after being rehomed from a private collection.

Park manager Steve Nichols said she was the "happiest tiger we've ever had" and added the park had gone into mourning following her death.

Mr Nichols said her arrival 10 years ago was a "huge thing for the park".

He said: "It was probably the most frightening thing we ever did, at the same time the most satisfying to offer these cats a long-term home here."

By 2016, the park became home to 12 tigers, which was believed to be the largest collection in the UK at the time but the park is now home to just three of the big cats.

Steve Nichols has been caring for tigers at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park for a decade

After a routine check sparked by a cut on her paw, Dehra was found to have "total kidney failure" and, to avoid her experiencing any pain, vets put her down.

"Even if it's my best mate we won't keep an animal alive for one day suffering," Mr Nichols added.

"We knew what we had to do.

"It's like a member of staff rather than an animal here. She's been the best thing that's ever happened to the park, without a doubt."

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