Next week you decide
- Thread starter garyjp
- Start date
plenty of odd species that aren't often seen elsewhere
mhale
Well-Known Member
I agree with Nisha - we spent a week's holiday on the island last year and visited all four of the collections you mentioned but Amazon World had the most diverse collection by far. The penguins hadn't moved into their new pool when I was there, but it looked much better than their old one. The lemurs in the walk-through were extremely entertaining as they were using the visitors (myself included) as objects to bounce off whilst on the move! I hope you have a great time.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Do them all they all have there positive and negative points,but if you can only do the one it has to be Amazon World!
I'd concur with everyone else and go for Amazon World.
I visited them all last year and, as ZG says, they all have their positives and negatives.
Seaview, to me, was the least interesting (nothing too exciting species-wise) but it was nice to see three species of flamingos and it's great if you like feeding animals (wallabies and waterfowl).
Amazon World is, by far, the most interesting species-wise but be warned that some of the animals prove a little elusive and you'll have to do a few circuits or come back later in the day to see anywhere near all the animals (good luck with the Paca, I tried at different times on two separate days to no avail).
Owl & Monkey Sanctuary is so beautifully done and it seems every aspect has been well thought-through, it has a real charm and, personally, I'd rank it second highest on the island.
Isle of Wight Zoo is OK, reasonably well done and a nice selection of lemurs and big cats (including some interesting colour variations). If you're really into big cats this might be a first choice but, for me, Amazon World would always be the place I'd go if I could only visit one.
Note, I did a thread on my visit last year which may inform a little more and/or whet your appetite.
Enjoy your trip.
I visited them all last year and, as ZG says, they all have their positives and negatives.
Seaview, to me, was the least interesting (nothing too exciting species-wise) but it was nice to see three species of flamingos and it's great if you like feeding animals (wallabies and waterfowl).
Amazon World is, by far, the most interesting species-wise but be warned that some of the animals prove a little elusive and you'll have to do a few circuits or come back later in the day to see anywhere near all the animals (good luck with the Paca, I tried at different times on two separate days to no avail).
Owl & Monkey Sanctuary is so beautifully done and it seems every aspect has been well thought-through, it has a real charm and, personally, I'd rank it second highest on the island.
Isle of Wight Zoo is OK, reasonably well done and a nice selection of lemurs and big cats (including some interesting colour variations). If you're really into big cats this might be a first choice but, for me, Amazon World would always be the place I'd go if I could only visit one.
Note, I did a thread on my visit last year which may inform a little more and/or whet your appetite.
Enjoy your trip.
Amazon world sounds better
No, I don't think a large zoo would get enough visitors to survive long-term.
The catchment area is physically and economically restricted by the island situation so, except zoo-nerds, they're be few casual visitors.
The zoo would therefore be dependent on locals (population about 150,000?) and tourists to the island which I don't think'd be enough to keep things economically viable.
Paradoxically, I think the island's able to sustain the four small collections quite well as, being small, their overheads and staff costs are reasonably low and there's a big tourist demand for "couple of hours/half day" attractions on the island (perfect for families with small children or those who want to do something before/after they go to the beach).
If flamingo's are your thing -by the time you've waited for and travelled across on the ferry you could be well over halfway to Slimbridge (and see all six species).
