A teacher from Bembridge, who’s usually commissioned to make children's toys will be taking on a new challenge for the Isle of Wight’s tigers.
As previously reported by Isle of Wight Radio, Alistair Nye, who teaches both maths and music at Ryde Academy said his background in mathematics has made him consider the ‘strength of the toy’, as he wants to make sure it lasts.
Alistair says the tigers, which each weigh around 300 kilos, will be attacking the toy - which will have a treat inside it. Therefore, it is very much a 3D toy with many angles to it, so the tiger has “lots to explore”.
The tigers at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Yaverland are used to small enrichment toys and cardboard boxes - which usually last about 8 seconds before being totally destroyed.
But Alistair must make something that is sustainable and has parts that are easy to replace.
Alistair with the Airtasker UK team, who helped launch the job application.
Alistair (pictured on the left in the photo above) exclusively told Isle of Wight Radio:
“I don’t normally put myself forward for things but it was something just a bit different to go for….I had a few ideas I took to the table and the final project is a mash together of my ideas and the team at the Wildheart Trust.
“The tigers are all very inquisitive and very aware of what’s around them in their environment, people watching them…. The idea of the toy is that it is something that will get them interested straight away. It is wonderful to be chosen for such a project.”
The brief is: to create something that will stretch the tigers’ imagination, with their ability to play and problem solve.
It will be a substantial, static piece within their environment they can play with but Alistair says there are things that they can “explore” with it once they open it up!
Jewson’s in Sandown has also kindly provided all the materials for free and delivered them to Alistair last week (Thursday).
Islanders are not allowed to know what the toy is yet, a big reveal will happen later this month (September).
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