South Lakes Safari Zoo granted new licence
The zoo was taken over by a new company earlier this year after inspection reports showed nearly 500 animals died there in less than four years. (Stock photo)
South Lakes Safari Zoo will remain open after being granted a new four-year licence by the local council. The zoo was taken over by a new company earlier this year after inspection reports showed nearly 500 animals died there in less than four years.
Barrow Borough Council granted a licence to Cumbria Zoo Company Limited (CZCL), which was formed by members of staff at the zoo and took over management in January. The new licence will come into force once the previous owner David Gill withdraws his current licence and ends his appeal.
Mr Gill was refused a new licence in March this year amid concerns about high death rates, poor management and animal health and welfare issues.
Reports released by the council showed 486 animals died between December 2013 and September 2016, equating to death rates of 12 per cent of the zoo’s animals each year. Among these were a jaguar euthanised after chewing off its own paw, a rhino crushed against a barrier by another rhino, an electrocuted tortoise and two snow leopards found partially eaten.
The zoo was also previously fined £297,500 for health and safety breaches after one of its keepers, Sarah McClay, was mauled to death by a tiger in 2013.
However, inspectors supported the licence bid from CZCL as they were “highly encouraged” by improvements made since the management takeover.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
