Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
50°39′39″N 1°08′22″W / 50.6609°N 1.1394°W / 50.6609; -1.1394
LocationSandown, Isle of Wight, England
Major exhibitsTigers, Lions, Lemurs, Monkeys and other exotic animals
Websitehttp://www.isleofwightzoo.com/

The Wildheart Sanctuary, previously known as the Isle of Wight Zoo and Sandown Zoo, is a sanctuary inside the former Sandown Fort on the coastline of Sandown, Isle of Wight. The zoo was privately owned but became a charitable trust in 2017. The collection focuses principally on big cats and Madagascan animals.

As part of the European Endangered Species Programme, the zoo has had success breeding several species of Madagascan animals including the critically endangered black-and-white ruffed lemur.

History

Originally known as Sandown Zoo, the zoo was established in the 1950s. By the 1970s it had fallen into disrepair, and was dubbed "The Slum Zoo of Britain" by The Sunday Times. However in 1976 the zoo was taken over by a new owner, Jack Corney, and over the following years it was rebuilt as a sanctuary for big cats and primates. Since Corney died in 2003 the zoo has been run by his daughter Charlotte.[1] In 2017, Charlotte established the Wildheart Trust, making the Isle of Wight Zoo a registered charity.[2] It was subsequently renamed the Wildheart Sanctuary in 2021.[3]

Main species

Big cats

The zoo is currently home to four tigers and four African lions. It has recently rescued three tigers from a circus in southern Spain.[4]

In recent years three Indian-themed enclosures have opened featuring glass viewing panels, ponds, natural planting and themed statues and temples. These enclosures were designed and built with the assistance of Ecclestone George Public Artists.[5]

Between 2016 and December 2019 the zoo was home to a tiger called Simi who had been rescued from a circus in Germany. Simi died in December 2019, according to the zoo owing to problems caused by her time in the circus.[6]

Additionally, the zoo has recently taken in three Eurasian lynx.[7]

Primates

The zoo also has a Madagascan theme, and the primate section reflects this by specialising in lemurs. It houses ring-tailed, black-and-white ruffed, red ruffed, black, white-fronted brown lemurs and mongoose lemurs, several of which have bred in recent years as part of European breeding programmes.[8]

The primate section is also home to spider monkeys, capuchins, vervet monkeys and common marmosets.[9]

Conservation

The zoo currently funds two conservation projects, both related to its areas of special interest.

The principal project is 'Local Advocacy for Tiger Conservation in Bhadra-Kudremukh Tiger Landscape'. This project is administered by the charity Global Tiger Patrol and funded wholly by the zoo. Over the year 2010/11 the zoo's contribution was £10800.[10] In November 2011 the project won the BIAZA award for Best Conservation Project (Small Collection).[11]

The second project focuses on Madagascar and is administered by the Madagascar Fauna Group. As a sponsoring member the Isle of Wight Zoo contributes $5000 annually.[12] The zoo sponsors an agroforestry station aimed at teaching alternative farming methods to the destructive slash-and-burn techniques commonly used.

Filming

The zoo was the subject and main filming location for the ITV Meridian television programme Tiger Island. Two series were filmed, showing different aspects of zoo life including making enrichment toys and designing new enclosures. A film was in production giving a behind-the-scenes view of the zoo and was to be ready in August 2013.

References

  1. ↑ Della-Ragione, Joanna (2 January 2014). "My animal family: Walking with tigers, playing with bear cubs, caring for cobras". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  2. ↑ Isle of Wight Zoo: The Wildheart Trust. isleofwightzoo.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  3. ↑ Wildheart Sanctuary: A New Beginning. wildheartanimalsanctuary.org. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  4. ↑ "Rescued tigers now at Isle of Wight Zoo". Isle of Wight County Press. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  5. ↑ "Ecclestone George Exhibit Construction". Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  6. ↑ "Isle of Wight rescued tiger, Simi, dies of circus injuries". BBC News. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  7. ↑ "Lynx to provide link to our wild past". Isle of Wight Zoo. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  8. ↑ Isle of Wight Zoo: Lemurs. isleofwightzoo.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  9. ↑ Isle of Wight Zoo: Monkeys. isleofwightzoo.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  10. ↑ "Tiger Conservation at the Isle of Wight Zoo". Isle of Wight Zoo. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  11. ↑ "Conservation award for Isle of Wight Zoo". Isle of Wight County Press. 14 December 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  12. ↑ "MFG Institutional Members". Madagascar Fauna Group. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
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