Our Tigers

Aysha epitomises the saying "all the best things come in small packages". Having been born somewhat weak, she is small in stature. Nevertheless, what she lacks in size she makes up for in personality. Definitely one of the chummiest tigers in the sanctuary, she seldom fails to greet those familiar to her and then she just won't leave you alone! Aysha hands out copious amounts of affection, usually marked by endless purring.

To make her all the more likeable, she is never bad-tempered or fractious. Despite her elfin charm, Aysha undoubtedly has the upper hand when it comes to a sibling tiff with her brother Diamond. With a sure-fire combination of polished play-fighting techniques and tactical coordination, she triumphs over Diamond every time! Aysha may know how to use her sweetness to win hearts but when it comes to the crunch she is certainly a tough little cookie!

Due to her confident nature, Aysha has no problems socializing with the other cats but her true soul mate is, of course, her brother. His mellow disposition balances her tireless energy. Aysha obviously laps up the soft-hearted affection and constant safeguarding provided by Diamond but gives back her own fair share of sisterly care.

Adopt Aysha...

Chandru had his origins in a circus collection within the UK. He came to us in 2000. To the best of our knowledge, he grew up in the company of lions. Right from the start we found him to be a very adaptable cat.

Despite his large physic he has a mild nature and prefers to steer himself away from any tiger disputes. Chandru has been in the company of Lola since his arrival at the zoo. They have undergone an introduction session but it is likely that they continue to live now just as next door neighbours.

Chandru recently moved from an off-show area to the main zoo. He has settled in fabulously well and is enjoying the new environment.

Adopt Chandru...

Diamond has been likened to just about every cartoon tiger under the sun. We think he bears an uncanny resemblance to Bagpuss! He gets the vote as the tiger most visitors want to take home, maybe because he looks like an overgrown tabby cat. While always admired and exclaimed at, Diamond frequently gets mistaken for a tigon or liger but we do our best to explain that his faint orange colouration and light brown stripes are wholly accountable to his parents being carriers of the white gene.

Totally unflappable, Diamond spends the majority of his time lazing around just watching the world go by. When he is up and about he's fooling around and generally being a bit of a jester! This casual tiger takes every day much as it comes until, that is, we are hit by a thunderstorm! On these rare occasions there's only one thing to do - put the little man back to bed! Hiding away inside, like a frightened mouse, does not seem to dent his ego because, quite simply, he's just not that macho anyway! Diamond is a popular cat amongst cats - he gets on with everyone and anyone.

He devotes much time and energy in getting the thumbs up from his fellow companions. He is never any trouble and is guaranteed to brighten anyone's day. In the mornings, Diamond sets off a chorus of "singing" and will be waiting for us at his den door armed with plenty of purrs. Aysha, Diamond's littermate sister, has the benefit of a protective brother who is invariably there to take care of her. He responds to her persistent playfulness with patience and runs a million miles from a squabble. If a brawl does brake out, Diamond always ends up backing down. Anything for a quiet life!

Adopt Diamond...

Lola came to us in 1999 from a French circus. She has a brother, Sultan, with whom she lived on arrival. Unfortunately, these two siblings had to be separated as they matured and their behaviour started to change towards each other. Lola is an inquisitive tiger who is always on the go. She is pleasant to fellow tigers and her human carers. Lola has enjoyed the company of Chandru for many years.

Although she has undergone a trial integration with Chandru, it is likely that these cats will remain next door neighbours, continuing to soak up each others positive characters. Lola has recently been transferred to a public zone of the zoo having spent her initial years at the zoo off-show. This change has suited her vibrant spirit as she loves being more central to the busy day-to-day activities of the zoo.

Adopt Lola...

Mysore is a very private tiger who keeps himself to himself. When Mysore does choose to join in with play he often seems to send out mixed messages. His moods can be changeable and so it is best to let him call the shots. In many ways he is independent and content just to have his own company and in other ways he can be fairly sociable. He currently lives in an offshow area of the zoo, which means that the people he does see are usually people he knows.

Associations with other cats must be on his terms. When Mysore does choose to join in with play he does, quite often, seem to send out mixed messages.

Although he tries to make it clear that he wants to be friendly, sometimes he seems to cause a degree of friction. In all, he could do with brushing up on his social skills!

Because of Mysore's unpredictability, we are aware that he may not always be up for our company but when he feels like it he does appreciate the odd conversation or bit of affection. As long as you play your cards right and respect Mysore's sensitive character it is possible to have a relationship with him. Having said this, he still remains something of an enigma.

Because he is not on show the the public, Mysore is not currently up for adoption.

Rajah is the wise man of the tiger community. He is courteous, polite and knowing, appearing to have 'seen it all before'. The only things guaranteed to penetrate his serene existence are; a neighbouring female in oestrus, or feeding time. When the former occurs he is exceptionally noisy with his unremitting calling and with the latter, he is equally as audible but with more hostile sounding noises! These occurrences aside he is quite the most unassuming tiger.

Rajah has an uncanny way of knowing whether or not you have something to offer him - if you do he will acknowledge your presence and if you don't, then he won't! Caring for Rajah is all about compromise. Most of the time we compromise and he doesn't but at times we manage to strike a balance. There is no doubt that he is a very crafty cat and so life with him often turns out as a battle of the wits. Although he may not always look particularly bright, he does know exactly how to manipulate things in his favour.

Rajah demands immediate respect in an understated, not an intimidating way.

Adopt Rajah...

Rajiv is a Siberian/Indian tiger hybrid. He arrived at the Isle of Wight Zoo in October 2007, from Florida, USA.

Rajiv was bred by a UK circus organisation in 1996. At 9 months old the circus sent him to Dallas, USA, where he was employed as a 'celebrity animal’, travelling around the country to open hotels etc.

He was then sold and spent time in various rescue centres in the US, finishing up at South Florida Rehabilitation Centre. Unfortunately the centre suffered a number of problems, including hurricane damage, and had to close.

With imminent homelessness looming, Rajiv’s future looked bleak. In the US, private ownership of big cats is not well controlled by law, and this has led to a problem with high numbers of surplus animals.

The Isle of Wight Zoo is delighted that we have been able to step in and offer Rajiv a safe, permanent new home here in our tiger sanctuary. He has settled in well, and is very interested in his surroundings, especially the neighbouring tigers. He observes people carefully and reacts differently to each member of staff. Rajiv is a very laid back character who does his own thing in his own time. He has a healthy appetite and eats everything put in front of him. Rajiv is an early riser – if he thinks it is time to get up, he bangs on his door with his enormous front paws until the animal care staff let him outside!

Adopt Rajiv...

Sultan made his appearance at the zoo, along with his sister, Lola, in 1999. He was born into a French circus collection where he grew up with Lola.

For some time after taking up residency at the zoo, Sultan was settled in the company of Lola but the harmony their partnership was challenged when both cats matured. Sultan was then separated from Lola but, until last year, was in her company.

He now lives next door to female tiger Amrita, and the two can often be seen keeping an eye on each other. Sultan is an extraordinary looking tiger and boasts canine teeth which send a chill down your spine.

Adopt Sultan...

Zena is a fun and bubbly cat. She is cute and completely irresistible. Part of her appeal is in her tomboyish tendencies. Zena shows no consideration to her beautiful white coat, she is a rare white version of the Indian tiger, when it rains she will consequently splash around in as many muddy puddles as she can find only to emerge looking like she's been down a coal mine! Unlike her older sister, Zia, Zena doesn't seem to understand the meaning of vanity. Zena has a real zest for life, which is evident from watching her humorous antics. Amongst other things, she has perfected the art of bouncing along on her hind legs while trying to 'bite' the jet of water from a hosepipe! Whatever Zena's doing, she is always grateful for an adoring audience. In short, this tigress is a positive show-off!

With Zena, what you see is what you get. There are no complicated sides to her character or shady unknowns. She wears her heart on her sleeve and would sooner trust than mistrust. Zena is as un-streetwise as they come, always seeking care and guidance from Zia. One of Zena's greatest pleasures comes in the shape of food. She is something of a feline hoover with eyes bigger than her belly. On special occasions she expects certain edible luxuries such as smoked haddock and smoked salmon! Ultimately, it is tigers like Zena that are capable of creating the most impact. Because of the sharp contrast between Zena the loveable, overgrown pussycat, and Zena the cat who could obliterate your existence in seconds.

Adopt Zena...

Zia is a cracker of a cat. She has a kaleidoscopic character, which captivates all with whom it collides. She can be catty yet cuddly, stuck-up but sweet. During the summer months she is quite content to while away the hours sun worshipping but is quick to mock hunt an unsuspecting passer-by, the smaller the better! Her frolicsome activity comes in spurts and can end as soon as it starts if her sister, Zena gets a bit carried away.

Zia is a trendy little miss and is sure to always look her best. Wet mornings are a particular no-no, a good job indeed that Zia doesn't have to endure the Indian monsoon season! She is ever so prim and proper and gracefully feminine. A very pretty tigress, with exquisite markings and a unique, sandy colouring (due to her being a carrier of the white gene) and fab whiskers, Zia draws much attention from us lesser beings. Not in the least camera-shy, she rarely tires of posing for clicks.

Zia is not the easiest cat to cater for. There are times when you can do nothing to please, the foods wrong, the affection's wrong, the lack of affection's wrong! Zia may be obnoxious at times but has ways of making things up with her enchanting nature. When it comes to the crunch, she seems to value the relationship that she has with Zena and her human companions. She may act at little spoilt at times and can be very attention seeking but, really, she is truly special cat.

Adopt Zia...