Latest news with #WildheartSanctuary
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Rescued bear brothers move to new enclosure
Two brown bear brothers rescued from a cage near a restaurant in Azerbaijan and brought to the Isle of Wight have finally got to explore their new home. Benji and Balu arrived at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown on 4 June. Public donations went towards the almost £218,000 raised for their transport and a brand new enclosure for the pair. The brothers have been kept in a holding pen while they settled on the island but were released on Friday into a new 3,500sqm space in-keeping with their natural environment. About two years ago, they were relocated by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan from a restaurant, where they had been kept to attract customers, to a temporary shelter. Wildheart Animal Sanctuary started fundraising to rehome the bears having become aware of their situation in May 2024. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Bear brothers kept in cage arrive at sanctuary Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
BBC News
11 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Rescued bear brothers prepare for new Isle of Wight enclosure
Two brown bear brothers rescued from a cage near a restaurant in Azerbaijan and brought to the Isle of Wight will finally get to explore their new home and Balu arrived at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown on 4 donations went towards the almost £218,000 raised for their transport and a brand new enclosure for the brothers have been kept in a holding pen while they settled on the island but will be released on Friday into a new 3,500-sq-m space in keeping with their natural environment. About two years ago, they were relocated by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan from a restaurant, where they had been kept to attract customers, to a temporary Animal Sanctuary started fundraising to rehome the bears having become aware of their situation in May 2024. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wildlife park mourns death of 'iconic' white lion
A white lion that was a wildlife park's "beloved icon" has died at the age of 18. Casper was known for his distinctive roar that could be heard for miles around the Isle of Wight, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary said. The lion, born at West Midlands Safari Park in 2006, became ill and was put to sleep on Thursday, the sanctuary added. Staff said they were carefully monitoring Casper's half-sister Frosty, due to the pair's celebrated bond of affection. At the age of three, Casper was separated from his African-born parents at the Bewdley park. He arrived at what later became Wildheart Animal Sanctuary on a rare snowy day on the Isle of Wight in January 2010. Casper's half-sister Frosty came to the island three years later in 2013. It took a year for the pair to integrate but they became inseparable, the sanctuary said. Animal manager Marc Fox said: "Whether basking together in the sun or snuggling up in the hide, grooming one another, or cosying up on the firehose hammock, their bond was one of loyalty, affection, and trust." Mr Fox said Casper had endearing traits, including a fascination with the smell of freshly cut grass and a fear of new objects in his enclosure. He said: "Phenomenally strong and powerful as a younger lion, Casper always left an unforgettable impression on everyone who laid eyes on him. "Even in his later years when he was physically less capable, his majesty and presence were unmatched, as were his impressive roars from his rock that could be heard across Sandown." The sanctuary said it would consider whether to bring in a new companion for Frosty or move her closer to the centre's other lions. White lions are a genetic variant of the African lion and are uniquely found in one part of South Africa, according to the Global White Lion Protection Trust. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Uganda the white lion dies at wildlife park The Big Cat Sanctuary welcomes two white lionesses Tributes after rare white lion dies at safari park Wildheart animal sanctuary
BBC News
09-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Isle of Wight wildlife park mourns death of 'iconic' white lion
A white lion that was a wildlife park's "beloved icon" has died at the age of was known for his distinctive roar that could be heard for miles around the Isle of Wight, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary lion, born at West Midlands Safari Park in 2006, became ill and was put to sleep on Thursday, the sanctuary said they were carefully monitoring Casper's half-sister Frosty, due to the pair's celebrated bond of affection. At the age of three, Casper was separated from his African-born parents at the Bewdley arrived at what later became Wildheart Animal Sanctuary on a rare snowy day on the Isle of Wight in January half-sister Frosty came to the island three years later in took a year for the pair to integrate but they became inseparable, the sanctuary said. Animal manager Marc Fox said: "Whether basking together in the sun or snuggling up in the hide, grooming one another, or cosying up on the firehose hammock, their bond was one of loyalty, affection, and trust."Mr Fox said Casper had endearing traits, including a fascination with the smell of freshly cut grass and a fear of new objects in his said: "Phenomenally strong and powerful as a younger lion, Casper always left an unforgettable impression on everyone who laid eyes on him."Even in his later years when he was physically less capable, his majesty and presence were unmatched, as were his impressive roars from his rock that could be heard across Sandown."The sanctuary said it would consider whether to bring in a new companion for Frosty or move her closer to the centre's other lions are a genetic variant of the African lion and are uniquely found in one part of South Africa, according to the Global White Lion Protection Trust. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
