Wildlife park's star three-legged puma dies

Nigel, who was 13, was one of the star attractions at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Park

A wildlife park has been left "absolutely astounded" by people's compassion following a decision to euthanise its resident three-legged puma.

Nigel, one of the star attractions at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Park, near Boston, had a leg amputated in 2022 after developing arthritis.

Steve Nichols, the park's chief executive, said the 13-year-old cat had taken a turn for the worse over the weekend and the decision to put him to sleep had to be taken to prevent suffering.

"It was an unbelievably heartbreaking decision but we wouldn't give him one day of unnecessary pain," he said.

Over the past few months, Mr Nichols said Nigel, who had been at the park since he was a cub, had started to walk with a limp again and also changed his gait.

"We were managing it and we had a plan for at least another four or five months but over the last week, and especially at the weekend, we noticed a huge change in his behaviour," he said.

"Everything was starting to become a little hard for him and we realised no matter how much pain relief he was given, it wasn't preventing the actual pain."

Fans of Nigel raised almost £5,000 for his treatment in 2022

Nigel, who also had problems with his eyes, became a fixture in many homes during the pandemic by featuring in live video streams from the park.

Since announcing the news on social media, Mr Nichols said the public response had been overwhelming, with people from all over the world sending messages of support.

"We've had a lot of 'character animals' here but they are usually the favourite for an individual person. When you've got an animal that everybody loves - it's hit everyone," he said.

"We are all so honoured that he made himself part of the family."

Going forward, Mr Nichols said the park planned to create a memorial in Nigel's enclosure to commemorate his life.

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