- GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING
A zoo dubbed ‘Britain’s worst’ after the deaths of hundreds of animals suddenly announced it would close today following fresh allegations of cruelty.
A series of tragic losses at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria – including animals being run over by a miniature train or electrocuted by fencing – sparked outrage towards its colorful millionaire founder, David Gill.
But the attraction – which was previously fined £255,000 after a caretaker was mauled to death by a tiger – was re-licensed in 2017 after agreeing to cut ties.
But it wasn’t until October that harrowing photos showing dead and injured animals were revealed.
These included a capybara covered in cuts allegedly 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 ‘significant areas of concern’, including a trainee being left alone with dangerous animals.
Conservation groups yesterday welcomed the shock announcement that the attraction – now called Safari Zoo – would close at the end of the year.
But because many animals would be moved to a wildlife park owned by the same company, they demanded assurances that they would be treated humanely.
A series of tragic losses at Cumbria’s South Lakes Safari Zoo – including animals being run over by a miniature train or electrocuted by fencing – sparked outrage against its colorful millionaire founder, David Gill.
As recently as October, harrowing photos showing dead and injured animals were revealed
The news follows an alarming inspection report from July which found ‘significant reasons for concern’ at the zoo
Chris Lewis, captivity research and policy manager at wildlife charity Born Free, which is campaigning for the zoo’s closure, said: ‘While we welcome today’s announcement, the exact details about the future of the animals and the site itself remain unknown. unclear.
‘Born Free urges all parties to work together to ensure that 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 – called it ‘great news’.
But it called for guarantees that “every animal in the zoo is rehomed in appropriate shelters, where they can receive the care they deserve and live in freedom.”
Karen Brewer, CEO of Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd, which took over the zoo in Dalton-in-Furness in 2017, insists it met all legal requirements.
But yesterday she said the company now wants to focus on a 120-hectare site 40 miles away in Tebay, which it will operate as a nature and wildlife park.
“During the transition, the animals will all continue to be cared for and receive 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 suitable for their longer-term needs.’
Reported incidents included a capybara covered in cuts allegedly caused by fighting and a zebra with its hoof stuck in the bars of its enclosure, which later had to be put down
Former Ferrari owner Mr Gill – who appointed his Peruvian beauty queen as chief vet as his third wife – was criticized for ‘deplorable’ welfare standards
A young monkey clings to the mesh under a heat lamp at the zoo because it is afraid 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 bit off its own leg, a rhino that was crushed to death by its mate and a giraffe that was shot after collapsing.
Former Ferrari owner Mr Gill – who appointed his Peruvian beauty queen as chief veterinarian as his third wife – has been criticized for “deplorable” welfare standards.
The new management’s struggles were later shown in the BBC2 documentary Trouble At The Zoo.
An undercover visit by Born Free experts in 2022 raised a range of concerns, including monkeys clinging to the edge of their enclosures to get close to heat lamps, rhinos confined to small stalls and barely able to move spinning, and an Andean bear seen waving and testing. an electric fence with his paw.
Cumbria Zoo Company previously said it was ‘refuting’ animal welfare concerns.