VIDEO: A fundraising campaign has been launched to raise a total of £50,000 to allow The Wildheart Trust to rescue a circus tiger to the safe sanctuary of the Isle of Wight Zoo.
During the Sandown-based Zoo’s 40-year lifetime more than 60 big cats have been given safe haven. From tigers to jaguars and everything in between, the dedicated specialised team have worked tirelessly to ensure they have all had a safe, loving and enriching place to call home.
Back in April the Isle of Wight Zoo announced that was embarking on a new chapter and had been granted charity status; that new charity is called ‘The Wildheart Trust’ and is the driving force behind rescuing another tiger, this time a circus tiger in Europe.
Sadly, in March of this year the Zoo lost one of its beloved tigers, Lola, an elderly ex-circus cat. In many ways Lola’s loss was bittersweet, because as much as she is still missed, there is now space to rescue another tiger. However, in order to facilitate this major re-development of the old outdoor enclosure complex, work must be undertaken to ensure it meets the highest standards for this next era of rescue work.
Unfortunately, at this time the Isle of Wight Zoo does not have the funds in its operating budget to cover the cost of this renovation work and therefore must fundraise. A dedicated crowdfunder page has been set up to assist The Wildheart Trust and the Zoo in raising the vital funds and donations are now starting to roll in – every donation made will take the Zoo one step closer to reaching its goal.
Charlotte Corney, CEO and trustee of The Wildheart Trust has said:
“Without the support of our friends we would never have evolved into the specialist centre that we are today. Once we have completed the renovation, the team will be ready and waiting to welcome another tiger into The Wildheart family where he or she will be provided with exemplary day to day care”
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The project will be undertaken in 2 phases and will cost a total £50,000.
Phase 1 (£38,000) will include demolition and removal of old enclosure; replacement of exterior fencing; construction of a new dividing fence; planting and soft landscaping; creation of 2 ponds and building of resting platforms. Phase 2 (£12,000) will include building of 2 heated rocks with caves.
The aim is for Phase 1 of the work to be completed by the end of the summer, with sufficient funds raised to enable the Zoo to embark on Phase 2 by Autumn 2017. The sooner the facility is completed, the sooner the zoo can welcome a tiger into its care.
To donate to the cause, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/heartsfortigers.
