Rescue tiger Aqua receives dental treatment from leading wildlife dentist
Aqua's dental transformation aims to protect his health and well-being
Aqua, a rescue tiger, has received dental care from a world-renowned wildlife dentist to ensure his long-term health and well-being.
The tiger, who arrived at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in October 2025, was found to have historic tooth problems during routine health checks by his keepers.
Emma Ogborne, Lead Big Cat Keeper, explained how their protected contact training with Aqua enabled them to identify the dental issues without causing stress.
“Through feeding with kitchen tongs as part of our protected contact training, we’re able to build trust with Aqua while keeping both him and his keepers safe. This approach allows us to carry out routine health checks and spot any issues, like the dental work he needed, without causing stress. It’s a vital part of how we care for big cats, helping us catch potential problems early.”
The zoo enlisted the expertise of Peter Kertesz, from Zoo Dent, a globally recognized wildlife dental consultant, to treat Aqua's top two canine teeth with specialist equipment and perform an equivalent of a root canal.
Chris Wilkinson, Curator at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, commented on the success of the procedure:
“The procedure went really well. Using specialist equipment designed for big cats, we treated Aqua’s top two canine teeth and performed the equivalent of a human root canal. This visit marks the beginning of his ongoing care plan, helping us protect his long-term dental health.”
Aqua's story began in 2019 when he was among ten tigers rescued from illegal trafficking at the Poland-Belarus border.
He faced challenging conditions, and sadly, one tiger did not survive.
Aqua was rehabilitated at AAP (Animal Advocacy and Protection) in Spain before moving to his current home in the UK.
The zoo highlights that the cost of caring for rescue tigers can be significantly higher due to potential hidden health challenges.
Their investment in expert care helps Aqua continue as an ambassador for his species, raising awareness about illegal wildlife trafficking.
The zoo acknowledges the support of visitors contributing to Aqua's care through visits and Gift Aid tickets.