Since the last post:
On May 19th, 2018, the zoo announced that Zia the tiger has passed away at 22 years old. The exact way she died is not known. This came after the death of a jaguar named Tequila who died a month earlier.
ZIA THE TIGER PASSES AWAY AT ISLE OF WIGHT ZOO - Island Echo - 24hr news, 7 days a week across the Isle of Wight
On June 8th, the zoo announced that 5 tigers (3 males 2 females) would be coming to the zoo from a Spanish traveling circus.
ISLE OF WIGHT ZOO TO REHOME RESCUED CIRCUS TIGERS - Island Echo - 24hr news, 7 days a week across the Isle of Wight
On March 1st, 2019, two lions were brought over to the zoo from Spain after being rescued from an unnamed circus. The lions are named Kumba and Vigo, and they are brothers.
WATCH: New lions arrive at the Isle of Wight Zoo
On April 30th, the zoo had to take down its Facebook and TripAdvisor pages after it was subjected to death threats after one of its trustees, BBC wildlife presenter Chris Packham, backed a pledge for farmers to legally shoot down "pest birds", namely crows and pigeons.
Isle of Wight Zoo forced off social media by hostile campaign | Isle of Wight News from OnTheWight
On October 3rd, a Bengal tiger named Aysha died due to a general decline in health. She was brought over to the zoo in 1998 and lived till the age of 21.
Isle of Wight Zoo's Aysha the Bengal tiger has died aged 21
On October 10th, the zoo with The Wildheart Trust and Save Our Hedgehogs Isle of Wright established a program to count how many hedgehogs were on the Isle of Wright.
Have you seen a hedgehog recently? New project to monitor and protect Isle of Wight's hedgehog population
On December 12th, it was announced that Simi, a former circus tiger, died at the zoo due to an illness sustained at the time as a circus performer. The tiger was brought over to the zoo in January 2016 following a lengthy legal procedure.
Isle of Wight Zoo mourns former circus tiger Simi — famed for having her plight raised at the House of Commons
On January 31st, 2020, the two lion brothers were moved into a new enclosure with a heated sleeping area and full height windows so guests can get up close and personal with the lions.
RESCUED LIONS MOVE INTO NEW-BUILD HOUSE AT ISLE OF WIGHT ZOO - Island Echo - 24hr news, 7 days a week across the Isle of Wight
On February 12th, the zoo brought 7 male meerkats over with their 2 females, making the mob grow to a population of 9. They have also updated the exhibit with new logs, scents, and spaces to run around in.
ISLE OF WIGHT ZOO EXPANDS FAMILY OF MEERKATS - Island Echo - 24hr news, 7 days a week across the Isle of Wight
On June 11th, it was announced that the zoo would be reopening on June 19th. Restrictions include the capping of visitor numbers, and the closure (for now) of the play area, shops, indoor cafe, and the education center. However, toilets will still be opened, and all animals besides the invertebrates and reptiles found in the education center are available in their outdoor enclosures.
Isle of Wight Zoo to reopen next week (what are the restrictions?)
On July 4th, the zoo was fully reopened, with the play area and education center reopening.
Isle of Wight Zoo fully re-open from tomorrow — including play area and education centre
On July 12th, the zoo refused service of their defibrillator to a 25-year-old woman on the beach (who suffered from a heart attack), causing her to die at the scene. The zoo has now officially released a statement stating that the zoo didn't have a defibrillator, and that the zoo officials told the people who came in asking for it to call 999.
ZOO ISSUES STATEMENT OVER DEFIBRILLATOR RUMOURS AFTER WOMAN DIES ON THE BEACH - Island Echo - 24hr news, 7 days a week across the Isle of Wight