Wildheart Animal Sanctuary Isle of Wight zoo - esp. tigers

The petting zoo will be someplace between the mongoose / B&W ruffed lemur enclosures and the newest tiger enclosures (ranthambhore/pench). This is currently waste ground close to the site of one of the proposed tiger encs. There will also be an extra path so you can go behind the mongoose lemur enclosure.
 
For those interested, the new lemurs at the zoo are grey mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus); they haven't actually arrived (from Czech Republic) yet.
 
I am going to IOW zoo next month with the family. The above have been useful but if I can have my say I believe zoo's are not just breeding but educational institutes. If we do not teach the new generations about these animals they will not be bothered in saving them. Young people always care about thing & understand better if they see them for real. When little people see them in the flesh they take notice & it makes sense to them that we need to save them. By having a non breeding program does not make it a bad zoo but a valuable part of the infastructure in saving these animals thru education

Thanks all
 
^ well said, speaking of breeding i dont think i.o.w has breed thier tigers for quite some time, does anyone know if they are planning to?
 
The last litter of 4 were born in 1993; the present stock will not be bred, though the long-term aim is to breed again (see also post #33).

Education is indeed at the heart of the zoo, school parties get a free tour where possible & local schools get in free. Hopefully the adults learn a thing or 2 along the way as well!
 
I have always admired The IOW for their non-breeding policy. So often you see these so-called cat sanctuaries sub-dividing their enclosures in order to breed (CST for one). Either you are one thing or the other. There are a lot of surplus tigers in captivity (hybrids and over-represented lines) and there has to be somewhere for them to go. Well done IOW!

I hear lots of bad press about the IOW in my job and it upsets me because they know where the faults lie and are doing their best to rectify it. The new tiger exhibits are amazing, and the cats are very well cared for.

@Pathera Puss: Out of interest why the decision to start breeding? What sub-species will this be?
 
'why the decision to start breeding? What sub-species will this be?'

This isn't a decision as such at this stage, just a long-term aim or strategy.

Generally, the zoo has taken the decision to concentrate on felids and prosimians, with some other small geographically complementary species, to form a sort of asia-madagascar themed zoo. The emphasis on tigers will remain; even if feline breeding resumes it's hoped that there will be room for some rescued or surplus animals*. It's envisaged that all primate intake will be under the auspices of the appropriate breeding authority.

*From a personal point of view I think it's wonderful to see how well rescued cats can come along when given the right care & environment.
 
It would be great for some breeding to be done but first all the tigers need to have big enough facilities, and yes the new exhibits are outstanding and i see a big future for the zoo.
 
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