South Lakes Safari Zoo loses licence after almost 500 animal deaths

A zoo in Cumbria – where almost 500 animals died and a keeper was killed by a tiger – has had its application for a new licence rejected.

Zoo founder David Gill applied to renew the licence but was denied by the council’s licensing regulatory committee.

The 486 deaths at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, between January 2013 and September 2016, were detailed in a report prepared by officers at Barrow Borough Council.

:: Three animals died after being run over by a miniature railway train

:: Sixteen animals were attacked and killed by members of their own species

:: A tortoise died after being electrocuted by electric fencing

:: Seven healthy lion cubs and five young baboons were "euthanised" because there was not enough space

:: Mr Gill shot 18 Sacred Ibis birds after he was threatened with prosecution for letting them fly free

:: A giraffe was shot by its keeper after collapsing

:: Two snow leopards were found partially eaten

:: A pair of squirrel monkeys were diagnosed with septicaemia

A zookeeper told the inspection team they had been told "to just dispose of any dead bodies and not tell anyone about them".

In June 2016, the zoo was also fined £255,000 after one of its employees, Sarah McClay, 24, was killed by a Sumatran tiger in May 2013.

It was also hit with a £42,500 fine when a zookeeper fell from a ladder while preparing to feed big cats in July 2014.

Investigators found animals with varying degrees of ill-health, including a meerkat with visible skin problems, a lemur with a sore and a kangaroo "incredibly emaciated and unwell".

They also found the penguin pool without any water.

Councillors heard that inspectors had visited in January and were "dismayed by the obvious deficiencies in the accommodation, the overcrowding and the lack of proper welfare and husbandry".

Details of the deaths of 486 animals showed "a clear picture of poor management with uncontrolled breeding and lack of any programme of preventative and curative veterinary medicine, with resultant ongoing welfare issues for the animals".

Inspectors concluded: "The lack of senior supervision and management is evident throughout the zoo, including the failures of the local veterinary service, leading to deplorable standards, compromised welfare and deaths."

Nicola O’Brien, campaigns director for Captive Animals’ Protection Society (Caps), described it as "one of the worst cases we have ever seen".

She said 182 of the animals that had died were threatened species.

Tony Callister, chairman of the council committee, said the decision to refuse the licence had been unanimous.

Mr Gill, who opened the zoo in 1994, did not attend the hearing at Barrow Town Hall.

His solicitor, Steve Walker, said Mr Gill no longer wanted to run the facility, but did not want to see it close before new company, Cumbria Zoo Company Limited, had a licence approved.

In a statement, Mr Gill conceded: "We have work to do, we know we do."

He insisted: "We are passionate about our animals and about ensuring a culture of care and love, meeting their needs to showcase our animals and allowing them to engage with visitors, whilst being valued and respected."

(c) Sky News 2017: South Lakes Safari Zoo loses licence after almost 500 animal deaths