About Our Zoo

Home to Britain's largest collection of tigers, this award winning zoo has been a dedicated ally to the tiger for over a quarter of a century. The Zoo also cares for a wide range of other animals including lions, leopards, jaguars, lemurs, monkeys, snakes, spiders and lizards. All our animals are housed in a wide variety of naturalistic enclosures that encourage them to display their natural behaviours. During your visit you can take in The Tiger Sanctuary, Lemurland and Nature's Nightmares, the Zoo's newly opened Kanha Enclosure has recently been described as one of the best new zoo enclosures in the world. Our dedicated Education Officer is on hand to deal with school groups, while our commitment to education and conservation is highlighted in the popular keeper presentations that take place throughout the day.

PAST

The Island's first zoo came into existence on the current site sometime during the 1950's. It was known locally as Sandown Zoo and was constructed within the walls of the existing Victorian fort (the fort itself had been originally erected as part of a coastal defence network protecting the South Coast against attack by the French). By the 1970's the zoo had fallen into severe decline and was quoted by the Sunday Times newspaper as, "The Slum Zoo of Britain". This national slamming of the zoo was later to become it's only lifeline as it caught the attention of a successful businessman who took over the zoo in 1976. Under his ownership, the zoo was saved from almost inevitable closure. Within a year, a Herpetological Centre was set up and soon involved in the work of the World Health Organization. The first tigers entered the zoo's revised animal collection at the end of the 1970's. These big cats acted as an important catalyst for our future emphasis on the tiger species. While the zoo enjoyed several tiger births, other large cat species were also introduced. By the early 1990's, a range of animals populated the zoo. It was this decade that saw the introduction of lemurs into the expanding zoo.

PRESENT

The Island's zoo still remains under it's original private ownership from the takeover in 1976. Today, the IOW Zoo is going from strength to strength having firmly established itself as a serious centre for wild animal management and conservation. The zoo now houses The Tiger Sanctuary and Lemurland. These two areas have naturally evolved as products of our main areas of specialisation; tigers and lemurs. Conservation projects to support in-situ work in India and Madagascar are in progress and look set to make a significant contribution towards the preservation of tigers and lemurs in their native habitats. The zoo now operates a fully-fledged education department catering for the visiting public and for schools. Re-generation and expansion of the zoo's facilities, for both animals and visitors, is on-going.

Mission Statement

To promote the survival of endangered species through first class educational and recreational experiences, exemplary animal management, conservation and research.

This mission will be accomplished by:

Providing a high quality education service to include all sectors, groups and individuals
Maintaining a wholesome, enriching and stimulating visitor experience
Fostering sound techniques of husbandry that ensure the physical and psychological well-being of the animals in our care
Applying resources to in-situ conservation programmes that will assist in the protection of tiger and lemur habitats
Supporting and participating in scientific research that contributes towards the knowledge, understanding and preservation of endangered animals

FUTURE

Zoos must continually grow to the fulfil increasing demands on them as animal welfare, conservation and recreation centres. This zoo understands the necessity of remaining flexible to the needs of the wildlife community as a whole while also adhering to it's own personal goals.

Vision Statement

The Isle of Wight Zoo will reach it's full potential as an internationally renowned wildlife conservancy dedicated to remaining in the front line of global efforts to prevent extinction of endangered animals.