Amazon World Zoo Park facts for kids
Amazon World Zoo logo
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| Location | Isle of Wight, England |
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| Coordinates | 50°39′21″N 1°13′12″W / 50.65583°N 1.22000°W |
| Major exhibits | Collection of toucans South America animals |
Amazon World Zoo Park is a fun zoo located on the Isle of Wight in England. It's home to many amazing animals from the Amazon rainforest in South America. You can see creatures like Giant Anteaters, Ocelots, Armadillos, Sloths, Capybaras, and Tapirs!
The zoo started as a private collection of birds. It grew into a popular place that is open to everyone all year round. It used to have the largest collection of Toucans in the United Kingdom. Now, it has one special Plate-Billed Mountain Toucan.
Amazon World Zoo Park helps many rescue animals. These animals come from the pet trade, other zoos, or even airports. Some were smuggled and couldn't go back to the wild. The zoo also helps animals have babies as part of important breeding programs. They are very good at breeding Tamanduas (a type of anteater) and Two-toed Sloths.
In 2005, a baby penguin was taken from the zoo. This story was on the news all over the country. The penguin was never found. People think it might have died after being let go near the Isle of Wight.
The zoo has gotten much better under new management. It is a member of important groups like the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). It also belongs to the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). These groups check the zoo regularly. They make sure the animals are well cared for in a way that helps nature.
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Helping Animals and Nature
Amazon World Zoo Park works hard to protect animals. They join international breeding programs. These programs help save animals that are in danger. For example, they help the Bali Starling. At one time, there were only 11 of these birds left in the wild! The zoo has also been very successful in breeding Two-toed Sloths. These animals are usually very hard to breed when they are in zoos.
The zoo also buys land in South America through the World Land Trust. This helps protect the natural homes of the animals they care for. It's a way to keep the Amazon rainforest safe for future generations.
Rescue Stories at the Zoo
The zoo has many animals that have been rescued. A lot of their reptiles and birds were once pets. Some were rescued by the RSPCA. These animals are given a new home at the zoo. Here, they get special care and can live more naturally.
They also have animals that were stopped at airports. Many of these animals were being smuggled illegally. They often got hurt during their capture or travel. Because of their injuries, they cannot be returned to the wild. The zoo gives them a safe place to live.
The Mystery of Toga the Penguin
Toga was a special African penguin at the zoo. He was the first South African jackass penguin born there. On December 19, 2005, Toga was taken from the zoo. It is thought that people climbed over fences to reach him. The zoo manager, Katherine Bright, said Toga was last seen the day before.
Toga would not eat food from humans. This meant he likely could not live more than a few days away from his parents. The zoo offered a reward of £1,000 to find him. More money was offered from people around the world. Zoo staff thought the movie March of the Penguins might have made someone want to take him.
By December 27, the zoo was still looking for Toga. But by January 17, 2006, they had given up hope of finding him. Toga's parents, Kyala and Oscar, had two more eggs in early 2006. On February 14, 2006, one egg hatched. They had a female chick, who was named Mumbles.
Amazing Animals You Can See
Amazon World Zoo Park is home to many different kinds of animals. You can see:
- Anteaters
- Wallabies
- Pacas
- Kinkajous
- Sloths
- Poison dart frogs
- Parrots
- Armadillos
- African penguins
- Meerkats
- Koi carp
- Guira cuckoos
- Bali mynas
And many more!
