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Zoolittle Farm now Open at the Isle of Wight Zoo

Harnessing the Power of the Pig

The Isle of Wight Zoo may be most famous for its tigers, but recently some of the smaller creatures have decided that it's their turn to bathe in a bit of the limelight. The opening of a new mini-farm on site this summer has brought to the zoo a number of extroverted new animals determined to shake things up.

Rooster Heathcliff is not content to let the lions be the undisputed noisiest inhabitants of the zoo, and considering the size difference he certainly puts up an impressive fight. Meanwhile, rivalling the monkeys for mischief is Winston the mini-pig, whose escapades have rendered him infamous already.

Winston's keepers originally hoped he would enjoy going for walks around the zoo in a harness so he could meet his public. Unfortunately they hadn't counted on Winston's knack for trouble, and he soon worked out that his unique proportions would allow him to slip out of his harness and take his own, much faster, route around the zoo. Despite the fun of rounding him up it was decided that the walks would have to stop until a suitable solution to Winston's Houdini-esq tendencies was found.

The answer, staff hope, lies in getting a harness made especially for him. Winston is due to be visited by the manufacturer, who will be taking his measurements and making him a bespoke, escape-proof harness. Then Winston will once again be able to go for walks around the zoo, meeting visitors and checking they haven't dropped anything edible.

Winston's new home on the mini-farm is an environmentally friendly barn and education facility, supplied by Isle of Wight Timber Buildings. It also houses a number of chickens, Guinea pigs and giant rabbits that children are allowed to touch - unlike the tigers!

The Isle of Wight Zoo situated on Sandown seafront, is open 10am-6pm throughout September, and 10am-4pm in October. During November and December the zoo will be open on weekends (weather permitting) 10am-4pm.
Entrance: adults £5.95, seniors £4.95, children (5-16 years) £4.95, children (under 5 years) FREE. Family tickets: 2 adults + 2 children £19.75, 2 adults + 3 children £23.75.
Tel: 01983 403883, e-mail: enquiries@isleofwightzoo.com, web: www.isleofwightzoo.com,