Wildheart Animal Sanctuary Mourns The Loss Of Rescued Tiger Zoppa

Wildheart Animal Sanctuary is mourning the death of one of its best-known residents, rescued tiger Zoppa.

The 14-year-old tiger was put to sleep yesterday (Thursday), following a decline in her mobility and quality of life.

Zoppa was born in a Spanish circus in 2012, where she suffered a fracture to one of her front legs which was never treated.

The injury left her with a permanent limp, which became one of the features visitors came to recognise her by.

She was rescued from the circus in Spain in 2017, alongside four other tigers, before arriving at what was then the Isle of Wight Zoo in June 2018.

Although her leg could not be repaired, specialist care helped Zoppa enjoy many more years of good quality of life.

Her care included changes to her habitat, pain management, physiotherapy and enrichment activities.

She remained active and playful, with visitors often seeing her swimming and exploring her enclosure alongside her companion, Natasha.

However, as Zoppa got older, her condition deteriorated and the Sanctuary's veterinary team eventually recommended putting her to sleep to prevent further suffering.

Animal Manager Marc Fox described Zoppa as an exceptionally special tiger, saying she had shown "incredible resilience" throughout her life.

He added that, having cared for 28 tigers during his career, Zoppa was "genuinely the loveliest tiger" he had ever known.

The Sanctuary says Zoppa's story highlights the lasting effects of keeping wild animals in captivity for entertainment, while also showing the difference specialist rescue and lifetime care can make.

Staff will now keep a close eye on Natasha as she adjusts to the loss of her companion.

Wildheart CEO Lawrence Bates said Zoppa's life "perfectly captured why Wildheart exists", adding that while her past could not be changed, the Sanctuary was able to give her the care and dignity she deserved.

Zoppa's legacy, he said, will continue to influence the Sanctuary's work with rescued animals.