Television and radio personality Barbara Kelly opened Sandown Zoo (now Wildheart Animal Sanctuary) in the former Granite Fort on 9th July 1955.
The opening was delayed for an hour due to the large number of holidaymakers who were travelling to the Island.
The technical director of the zoo, George Cansdale – who was also a television personality – apologised for the zoo not being fully stocked, claiming that a further 80 animals were on their way.
With the arrival of the absent animals, he claimed the zoo would include badgers, wallabies, fallow deer, hamsters, monkeys, rabbits, donkeys, ponies, peacocks, an aviary, a sow and her litter and penguins. The larger animals would be housed in log cabins and the smaller ones in miniature bungalows.
At a press conference, George Cansdale – who had been superintendent at London Zoo – said:
“Britain may still enjoy its reputation as a nation of shopkeepers but we are rapidly becoming a nation of petkeepers into the bargain. It has been estimated that we keep nearly 6 million dogs, 6-and-a-half million cats and 4-and-a-half million cage birds such as budgerigars, canaries and finches. In addition, it is estimated that there are nearly 1million people who keep tropical fish, 500,000 who keep snakes, tortoises and other reptiles, and at least 2,000 people who possess such unusual pets as crocodiles, panthers, eagles, bears, lions and monkeys.”
Sandown Zoo became Isle of Wight Zoo in the early 70s. But sadly, the zoo had fallen into disrepair.
One visitor commented:
“Our visit to the Isle of Wight was marred by a visit to Sandown Zoo. We were charged 25p and 15p for my son. We saw a few animals, all looking in a very sorry state, the enclosures were badly run down and nearly half of them were empty. We spent approximately half an hour in the zoo and came out disgusted. I complained at the entrance on leaving but was told “I only work here” and no-one was interested.
“I consider the place a blot on a nice town.”
In 1976, the zoo was taken over by a new owner, Jack Corney, and rebuilt as a sanctuary for big cats and primates. After Jack’s death in 2003, it was taken over by his daughter, Charlotte.
In 2016, Charlotte established the Wildheart Trust, making the Isle of Wight Zoo a registered charity. It was subsequently renamed the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in 2021 and has gone from strength to strength.
Love the zoo / sanctuary it’s gone downhill recently with the talks being downplayed and the twilight show changed for reasons that didn’t make sense…..really was I insurance and cost cutting. The bears are massive uplift atleast along with the new enclosures
We have been visiting the IOW for over 30 years. Every time we always go to the Zoo/Sanctuary. We have seen so much improvement over the years.
We were listening to one of the keepers who said he had worked there for 10+ years. He was telling us that over the years the have replaced all but 1 of the animal enclosures, and making them bigger. I think they are doing a great job. All the staff & Volunteers are fantastic And long may you continue to help rescue these poor animals.
Very interesting
Visited Isle of Wight A week ago and visited the zoo for the first time and was very impressed on the amount of animals they had and how well looked after they are and I love the read up about them and where they were saved from I even saw the animals being feed their food and got to see the new additions the bears I would recommend anyone who visits the island to go take your children there they would love it and the price included you to visit again within 7 days which is good and also yes there were a few old places in the zoo that had work being done . But had a lovely morning there and then went to the cafe after and had food and sovereigns shop