Council refuses licence for South Lakes Safari Zoo
The zoo was previously fined nearly £300,000 after one of its keepers was mauled to death by a tiger in 2013. (stock photo)
The owner of a zoo where nearly 500 animals have died in the past four years has been refused a licence by Barrow Borough Council.
Zoo founder David Gill applied to renew his licence to run South Lakes Safari Zoo in Dalton-in-Furness, but was unanimously rejected by councillors. Mr Gill has 28 days to appeal the decision.
Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd, which took over operational control of the zoo on 23 January, has submitted a separate application for a zoo licence and accepted an opportunity to buy South Lakes Safari Zoo Ltd. A licensing inspection is reportedly scheduled for later this month.
Damning inspection reports for South Lakes Safari Zoo recently revealed 486 animals died between December 2013 and September last year. Deaths included a jaguar euthanised after chewing off its own paw, two snow leopards found partially eaten and a rhino crushed against a barrier.
Inspectors found there was no heating installed at the November 2016 inspection, despite assurances that it would be in place before the winter months, and there were animals with virtually no bedding or substrate.
The zoo was previously fined nearly £300,000 after one of its keepers was mauled to death by a tiger in 2013.
In a statement, the Cumbria Zoo Company stressed that Mr Gill no longer has any management, operational or other role in the operation of the zoo and outlined its attempts to address the welfare concerns it has inherited.
Eligible members of BEVA will be able to vote for their Council team until Monday, 17 August 2026. Members will have received an election email on 17 July.
