In April 2021, the Isle of Wight Zoo rebranded as the Isle of Wight Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, concluding a decades-long transformation from an attraction established for the purpose of displaying wild animals to a sanctuary providing a space for wild animals rescued from horrific conditions, a forever home of play, rest, and care for animals once destined to be pets or acts in a circus, which also happens to let members of the public visit. Among the sanctuary’s residents are several big cats, including lynxes, tigers, and lions.

This magnificent majesty here is Antonella, aged thirteen, and shared an enclosure with two younger tigers, Natasha and Zoppa. While Antonella is content to sit up high on her rock and watch the crowds, Natasha is a curious creature and likes to stalk lonely hoomans who stray too close to her territory, while Zoppa likes to tag along and scare people. Not necessarily because she’s scary, but a nasty accident in the circus gave Zoppa a permanent limp. Thankfully, this does little to dampen her energy, and she is apparently known for being quite flirtatious.

Hope you enjoy!