Isle of Wight Zoo to rehome rescued circus tigers

Five tigers who have spent years performing in a Spanish travelling circus are making their way to the Isle of Wight Zoo to find sanctuary and expert care.

Natasha, Zoppa, Antonella, Girona and Mondo were given up by the circus amid the growing public backlash around performing animals. They were taken in by Spain’s AAP Foundation, which quarantines and rehabilitates circus animals, and the Isle of Wight Zoo has stepped in to provide their forever home.

Isle of Wight Zoo is part of The Wildheart Trust. The zoo provides accommodation and care for big cats and exotic animals - supporting rescue projects and raising awareness of the plight of animals in the circus and illegal pet trade.

The Wildheart Trust founder, Charlotte Corney, said: “We’re so pleased to be providing this vital lifeline to these tigers. The conditions endured by circus animals can be horrific. Things you can’t believe are still happening in this so-called enlightened age and while we continue to campaign and pursue an end to such cruelty, we know the animals we rescue will have a happy retirement.”

The zoo team are busy constructing new facilities to enable the zoo to accommodate the tigers as well as mounting a major fundraising campaign to support this and future rescue work.  Anyone concerned about the plight of circus animals and wishing to help can donate at: www.justgiving.com/wildheart-foundation.