Isle of Wight Zoo

Isle of Wight Zoo
Isle of Wight Zoo logo

Location	Sandown, Isle of Wight, England
Coordinates	50°39′39″N 1°08′22″W / 50.6609°N 1.1394°W / 50.6609; -1.1394Coordinates: 50°39′39″N 1°08′22″W / 50.6609°N 1.1394°W / 50.6609; -1.1394
Major exhibits	Tigers, lemurs
Website	http://www.isleofwightzoo.com/

The Isle of Wight Zoo, previously known as the Sandown Zoo is a sanctuary inside a fort on the coastline of Sandown, Isle of Wight. The zoo is privately owned, and 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, and over the following years it was rebuilt as a sanctuary for big cats and primates.

Main species

Big cats

The zoo is currently home to seven tigers, four African lions and two jaguars. The most famous of the big cats is Zena, the zoo's only white tiger. A single male golden tiger, Diamond, also resides in the zoo.

Tiger at the zoo

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.^[1]

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 and mongoose lemurs, several of which have bred in recent years as part of European breeding programmes.

The primate section is also home to spider monkeys and capuchins.

Zoo At Home Animal Cafe

Formerly the reptile house, Zoo At Home is a zone for pet animals. It was adapted with the assistance of Pets At Home. It is also currently home to the zoo's Madagascan giant jumping rats. As of September 2012 the area became the Animal Cafe, where visitors can eat as they watch the animals.

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 us administered by charity Global Tiger Patrol, and funded wholly by the zoo. Over the year 2010/11 the zoo's contribution was £10800.^[2] In November 2011 this project won the BIAZA award for Best Conservation Project (Small Collection).^[3]

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.^[4] The zoo sponsors and 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 entitled "Tiger Island". Two series were filmed, showing different aspects of zoo life including making enrichment toys and designing new enclosures. A film is in production giving a behind the scenes view of the zoo and will be ready in August 2013.

Notes

^[1] ^[2] ^[3] ^[4]

1 2 "Ecclestone George Exhibit Construction". Retrieved 3 October 2012.
1 2 "Tiger Conservation at the Isle of Wight Zoo". Isle of Wight Zoo. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
1 2 "Conservation award for Isle of Wight Zoo". Isle of Wight County Press. 14 December 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
1 2 "MFG Institutional Members". Madagascar Fauna Group. Retrieved 3 October 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Isle of Wight Zoo.

Zoological gardens in the United Kingdom

Those listed in italics contain more than 5000 animals

Zoos	Africa Alive! Amazon World Zoo Banham Zoo Beale Park Belfast Zoo Birdland Park and Gardens Birdworld Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park Blackpool Zoo Borth Animalarium Bristol Zoo British Wildlife Centre Calderglen Country Park Chessington Zoo Chester Zoo Colchester Zoo Cotswold Wildlife Park Cricket St Thomas Curraghs Wildlife Park Dartmoor Zoological Park Drayton Manor Zoo Drusillas Zoo Park Dudley Zoo Durrell Wildlife Park Edinburgh Zoo Exmoor Zoo Flamingo Land Resort Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo Hamerton Zoo Hawk Conservancy Trust Howletts Wild Animal Park International Centre for Birds of Prey Isle of Wight Zoo Lakeland Wildlife Oasis London Zoo Marwell Wildlife Monkey Sanctuary Monkey World New Forest Wildlife Park Newquay Zoo Noah's Ark Zoo Farm Paignton Zoo Paradise Park, Cornwall Paradise Wildlife Park Peak Wildlife Park Plantasia Royal Surrey Gardens Screech Owl Sanctuary Seaview Wildlife Encounter South Lakes Safari Zoo Tropical World at Roundhay Park The Living Rainforest Tropical Birdland, Leicestershire Tropiquaria Twycross Zoo Welsh Mountain Zoo Wetheriggs Zoo and Animal Sanctuary Whipsnade Zoo Wildwood Discovery Park Wingham Wildlife Park Woodside Farm and Wildfowl Park Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Safari parks	Blair Drummond Safari Park Highland Wildlife Park Knowsley Safari Park Longleat Safari Park Port Lympne Wild Animal Park West Midland Safari Park Woburn Safari Park

Permanently closed	Belle Vue Zoo Glasgow Zoo Coventry Zoo Manchester Zoological Gardens Southport Zoo Windsor Safari Park Rare Species Conservation Centre Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park

Category List Commons

Ceremonial county of Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight Portal

Unitary authorities	Isle of Wight

Major settlements	Bembridge Brading Cowes East Cowes Freshwater Newport Ryde Sandown Shanklin Ventnor Yarmouth See also: List of civil parishes in Isle of Wight

Rivers	River Caul Bourne River Medina Newtown River Solent Wootton Creek Eastern Yar Western Yar

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