Think of Operation Squirrel and you might hear the Mission Impossible theme and imagine a bushy-tailed creature abseiling. But the crisis that hit the Isle of Wight in 2002 was a bit more serious. The Island is the only area in southern England that has managed to keep the grey squirrel out, thus saving its native red squirrel population from certain extinction. Alleged sightings of grey squirrels sparked fears that the bullying greys might be gaining a foothold on the Island, so conservationists were mobilised to keep them at bay, and thus the red squirrel was saved. You can see this rare wonder at Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park, which holds a squirrel safari every Thursday, or see them in the wild at sites such as Ningwood Common where the oak woodland provides a perfect habitat.

The red squirrel is not the only animal being conserved on the Island. The Isle of Wight Zoo in Sandown is famed for its tiger sanctuary housing many rescued animals and its support for conservation projects in India. Other residents, all housed in naturalistic enclosures, include lemurs, lions, leopards, jaguars, monkeys, snakes, spiders and lizards. Many of the big cats have become stars on ITV Meridian’s Tiger Island, a fly-on-the-wall style series based at the zoo, a second series of which starts in the summer.

The steamily atmospheric Amazon World Zoo Park has a mission to reflect the wildlife of the rainforest—you can see tropical birds flying freely overhead and crocodiles lurking in the pond. At Seaview Wildlife Encounter the focus is on flamingos, but this family attraction is also home to the endangered Humboldt penguin, and mammals including cute wallabies and meerkats.

If you like your animals a little more domesticated, head for Colemans Animal Farm near Newport. This is especially fun for the kids, with lots of creatures to feed and cuddle including dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs. You can also ride on the farm’s resident Shetland pony, Tommy Tucker. Meanwhile, slightly more intriguing animals live down on Fakenham Farm in St Helens, such as emus, rheas, Ankole cattle and water buffalo.

There’s plenty for horse lovers too. Brickfields Horse Country, near Ryde, offers lessons and hacks for all abilities with a stable ranging from Shetland ponies to shire horses, while at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary in Wroxall you can stroke Neddie’s nose and learn more about how the animals are cared for.

The Island is rich in birdlife. At Arreton Down, you can see birds of prey, including buzzards, kestrels and peregrines as well as turtle doves, yellowhammers and wheatears. Island waterways are great for bird-spotting—visit www.itsallaboutthebirds.co.uk to find out more, including wildlife safaris on the Newtown river and the West Yar estuary. WILLIAM HIGGINS

Where to stay...

Little Span Farm (01983 852419) at Wroxall offers farmhouse accommodation and holiday cottages on a working sheep farm. At Mersley Farm (01983 865213), Newchurch, you can stay in converted barns and cottages with access to fishing lakes. Silverglades (01983 760172) in West Wight is a small eco-friendly caravan park set in three-and-a-half acres of gardens and woodland.

Where to eat...

After a busy day at Amazon World, enjoy a snack at the attraction’s Adventurer’s Café (01983 861110). There’s also a café at the Isle of Wight Zoo, while Coleman’s Animal Farm offers picnic areas for all the family.

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