- WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT
A zoo dubbed ‘the worst in Britain’ after the deaths of hundreds of animals suddenly announced it was closing today following new cruelty allegations.
A series of tragic losses at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria – including animals run over by a miniature train or electrocuted by fencing – sparked outrage aimed at its colourful millionaire founder, David Gill.
But the attraction – previously fined £255,000 after a keeper was mauled to death by a tiger – was granted a new licence in 2017 after he agreed to cut ties.
However as recently as October, harrowing photographs were revealed showing dead and injured animals.
These included a capybara covered in cuts reportedly caused by fighting and a zebra with its hoof stuck in the bars of its enclosure which later had to be put down.
It follows an alarming inspection report in July which found ’major causes for concern’, including a work experience student being left alone with dangerous animals.
Conservation groups yesterday welcomed the shock announcement that the attraction – now called Safari Zoo – would be closing at the end of the year.
But with many animals set to be moved to a wildlife park run by the same company they demanded assurances that they would be humanely treated.
A series of tragic losses at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria – including animals run over by a miniature train or electrocuted by fencing – sparked outrage aimed at its colourful millionaire founder, David Gill
As recently as October, harrowing photographs were revealed showing dead and injured animals
The news follows an alarming inspection report in July which found ’major causes for concern’ at the zoo
Chris Lewis, captivity research and policy manager at wildlife charity Born Free, which has been campaigning for the zoo’s closure, said: ‘While we are pleased to see today’s announcement, exact details on the future of the animals and the site itself remain unclear.
‘Born Free urges all parties to work together to ensure the welfare of the animals remains paramount until a time when appropriate and suitable homes can be secured for them.’
Freedom for Animals – formerly the Captive Animals Protection Society – said it was ‘amazing news’.
But it called for guarantees that ‘every animal at the zoo is rehomed to appropriate sanctuaries, where they can receive the care they deserve and live free’.
Karen Brewer, CEO of Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd, which took over the in Dalton-in-Furness based zoo in 2017, insists it met all regulatory requirements.
But yesterday she said the firm was now looking to focus on a 120-acre site 40 miles away in Tebay, which it will run as a nature and wildlife park.
‘In transition, the animals will all continue to be looked after and given the best veterinary care,’ she told the BBC.
‘We are working with various agencies, including two zoo consultants, to find them all new homes that are appropriate for their longer-term needs.’
Reported incidents included a capybara covered in cuts reportedly caused by fighting and a zebra with its hoof stuck in the bars of its enclosure which later had to be put down
Ferrari-driving former owner Mr Gill – who appointed his Peruvian beauty queen third wife as head vet – was slammed for ‘deplorable’ welfare standards
A young monkey clings to the mesh below a heat lamp at the zoo amid concerns its habitat is not being kept warm enough
In 2017 it emerged that almost 500 animals had died in just three years.
The death toll included a jaguar that chewed off its own paw, a rhino crushed to death by its partner and a giraffe shot after collapsing.
Ferrari-driving former owner Mr Gill – who appointed his Peruvian beauty queen third wife as head vet – was slammed for ‘deplorable’ welfare standards.
The new management’s struggles were later shown in BBC2 documentary Trouble At The Zoo.
An undercover visit by experts from Born Free in 2022 raised a string of concerns including monkeys clinging to the edge of their enclosures to get close to heat lamps, rhinos confined to tiny stalls barely able to turn around, and an Andean bear seen swaying and testing an electric fence with its paw.
Cumbria Zoo Company previously said it ‘refuted’ animal welfare concerns.