Uganda the white lion dies at wildlife park
A "majestic" 16-year-old white lion who lived at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park has died.
Uganda was put to sleep after his "quality of life started to deteriorate quickly", the zoo said.
The white lion arrived at the zoo in Friskney, near Boston, along with his brother Pascha six years ago.
The park and the University of Lincoln will monitor Pascha to make sure he doesn't start struggling following the loss of his brother.
Steve Nichols, the park's chief executive, said a post-mortem examination had found that Uganda's pancreas was in a "really bad state".
He added: "The entire team are obviously gutted we've lost an absolute cracking part of our extended family, but we're so pleased that we got to this before it started to cause him insufferable problems.
"We are a sanctuary [and] none of us likes the idea of losing an animal. We all become very attached to them and it's always a really hard decision."
In a statement, the wildlife park said Uganda was a "powerful predator with a deep connection to his brother".
Mr Nichols said: "Now what we've got to do is manage his brother, who has been with him for the last 16 years.
"He's never been separated from him, and he's been tending to him."
Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Park mourns death of 'happiest ever' tiger
Wildlife park bids farewell to Bengal tiger
Sanctuary sees influx of 'difficult' parrots
Lincolnshire Wildlife Park

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Headteacher welcomes free school meal announcement
A headteacher has welcomed government plans to extend the free school meals scheme to include more children. From September 2026 all children in families receiving Universal Credit credit will be eligible regardless of their income, in a move expected to benefit more than 500,000 children. The government said the changes to free school meals would save parents £500 a year and "lift 100,000 children out of poverty". Joanna Baxendale, headteacher at Green Lane Primary School in Bradford, said: "Without free school meals, our children simply will not be able to access the curriculum, they won't be able to learn the maximum capacity, they wouldn't be able to reach their full potential." She added: "Our children come from a very deprived area and a high percentage of our children access free school meals. "We already supplement that with free breakfasts and things like that, because we recognise many of our children don't start the day with a breakfast, so they're already not ready to learn. "We all know if you've got an empty tummy, you can't concentrate. "As an adult you know that." Sue Duffy, Bradford Council's executive member for children and families, said the change to the policy was a "fantastic outcome" for children and families in the district. She also encouraged families to check if they are eligible for the scheme so as not to miss out. "Free school meals offer multiple benefits to children's health, well-being, and education, as well as positive economic impacts for families," she said. "A nutritious lunch can improve children's concentration, learning, and overall academic performance, while saving families around £500 per child each year." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Free school meals to be extended to 500,000 more children Bradford Council
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Unity plea ahead of huge Eid celebrations
Muslims in the West Midlands say this year's Eid events will offer a chance to remember people around the world who are suffering. Eid al-Adha, one of the main festivals in the Islamic calendar alongside Eid al-Fitr, will be marked in the UK between Friday and Monday. Two Eid in the Park events were expected to draw thousands of people to Birmingham's Small Heath Park and Wolverhampton's West Park on Friday - although the former will move indoors to Green Lane Mosque due to the weather. "I think it would be an understatement to say that our hearts are with people who are suffering right now," said Haniya Aadam, from the mosque. Eid al-Adha remembers the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael at God's command - although ultimately God spared him. Ms Aadam said she felt the lessons of Ibrahim were especially important at a time of conflict and division in the world. "It's that obedience that Ibrahim had to God, it's that full faith and that full trust that God was going to look after him and look after his child," she explained. "We can't ignore that. I don't think there's any Muslim here that's going to not be thinking about the Muslims thousands of miles away that are suffering. "So having that trust in God, the way that Ibrahim did, to have a happy ending, brings hope to us." About 5,000 worshippers are expected at the event in West Park, the fifth to be held, and which is organised by Jaamia Masjid Aqsa with the event starting with speeches from 10:00 BST. Sohail Khan, councillor for Tettenhall Regis and one of the organisers, echoed Ms Aadam's sentiments. "We live in a very polarised society," he said. "There's nothing better than to bring us all together under one common theme. It is Eid and it is a Muslim festival, but it's open to everybody. "They don't have to partake in the religious side of it. But that's what Eid's about. "It's about community." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Why there are two Eids and how they are celebrated Thousands expected for Eid-al-Adha celebrations In Pictures: Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world Green Lane Mosque and Community Centre Jaamia Masjid Aqsa
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Teachers strike over 'unfair treatment' at school
Teachers at a school in Hull have walked out for a second day over the "unfair treatment" of staff, their union says. Some classes at St Andrew's CE VA Primary School, Grandale, Hull, were sent home due to strike action by National Education Union (NEU) members. Paula Burgin from the Hull branch of NEU said staff were striking over "inconsistent application of policies around pay, sickness absence and discipline that has led to unfair treatment of staff". A spokesperson from the school said the governing body was committed to work with the union to address the concerns that had been raised. Ms Burgin said the dispute formally began in March when staff put forward a list of complaints to school governors. She said policies being changed without consultation and parents complaints not being actioned were among a "plethora of issues" raised. Ms Burgin added that the resignations of two assistant head teachers in December had left "a bit of a vacuum at the top for leadership" which led to "disorganisation through the whole school". Head of religious education at the school Irene Treston-Waller said there were not enough staff to adequately supervise children during playtimes. Ms Treston-Waller, who has worked at the school for more than 12 years, said: "We are doing our best but we would really like additional support for those children who need it most. "Overall, we've got lots of issues that have been raised and I think they all need to be addressed... and in a timely fashion so that we can get on with our job which is not being in here it's being out their teaching our children." A spokesperson for the school said: "We will ensure that all parents are kept fully informed about whether there will be any further strike action, however we hope to be able to avoid this by having constructive dialogue with trade union representatives." The BBC put staff concerns to the school, but it did not address them directly. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Teacher strike ends after 'successful' talks Pay us what we deserve, striking teachers say Teachers in England move a step closer to striking St Andrew's CE VA Primary School National Education Union