South Lakes Safari Zoo where almost 500 animals died in just FOUR YEARS and tiger keeper was mauled to death WILL stay open
Councillors were 'highly encouraged' by improvements made since the licence was rejected in March
A ZOO where almost 500 animals died in four years and a keeper was mauled to death by a tiger will stay open – despite its licence being rejected.
South Lakes Safari Zoo was due to close after government inspectors slammed it as “inadequate”.
It followed a series of incidents including a jaguar that chewed off one of its paws, a rhino that was crushed to death and two snow leopard cubs found partially eaten in their enclosure.
But a new application from Cumbria Zoo Company Limited (CZCL), which has operated the zoo since January, was approved by councillors who were “highly encouraged” by the recent improvements made.
It’s after David Gill, the owner and founder of South Lakes Safari Zoo, stepped down from all trading and management activities connected with the zoo.
He has faced criticism for living in luxury nearby, in a million-pound farmstead set in 45 acres of stunning scenery within the Lake District National Park while animals suffered at his zoo.
At a hearing this week, chief executive Karen Brewer told councillors that it was “a new zoo” and that the hard work of “dedicated, enthusiastic and passionate” staff members had paid off.
The committee granted the licence to CZCL – subject to Mr Gill either withdrawing his own licence appeal or surrendering his licence.
CZCL must also ensure an animal director or equivalent is appointed on a full-time basis and must have the ability to make decisions independent of the registered land owner.
It’s after seven healthy lion cubs and five young baboons were also “euthanised” because there was not enough room for them.
And 18 Sacred Ibis birds were shot by zoo founder David Gill after he was threatened with prosecution for letting them fly free.
South Lakes in Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, was fined £450,000 after Sumatran tiger Padang fatally mauled 24-year-old zookeeper Sarah McClay in 2013.
The tiger was culled in 2015.
Gill’s colourful personal life came to light in March as councillors unanimously voted to refuse his claim for a licence to run the zoo.
His first wife and mother to his first two children, Alison, left him in 1997 after 12 years of marriage when Mr Gill had an affair with teenage zoo hand Shelley Goodwin.
She had left school at 16 and looked after the kangaroos. The unlikely pair married in July 2000 but divorced soon afterwards.
He then had a relationship with Caroline Jellicoe, with whom he has another two children.
In 2008 Mr Gill was at the centre of a court case after being stabbed in the neck by jilted husband.
Chairman of the committee Tony Callister said the decision had been unanimous and was made because councillors were not satisfied conservation matters referred to in the Zoo Licensing Act would be implemented.
Maddie Taylor, of the Captive Animal Protection Society, had called on the local council to shut the zoo.
She said: “The findings are some of the worst we have come across in 60 years.
“Our visit to the zoo combined with the zoo inspectors’ reports shows high death rates of animals, animals in ill health and a lack of understanding about how to meet even the most basic needs of the animals under their care.
“We urge the local authority to close this appalling zoo down.”
A report seen earlier this year blamed poor management, emaciation, hypothermia, poor veterinary care, uncontrolled breeding and overcrowding for the high death toll among the 1,500 animals.
Chris Draper, of the Born Free Foundation, said: “The inspection reports outline a host of deeply concerning problems relating to animal welfare and human safety.
“Entirely preventable animal deaths, welfare problems, failures in vet care and management issues appear to be rife.”
The other animal fatalities include two giraffes — one of which was obese — a reindeer that suffered an infected fly bite and a kangaroo that got an infected tooth.
An African tortoise named Goliath was electrocuted against a fence and a squirrel monkey’s decomposed body was found down the back of a radiator.
A ring tailed lemur was run over by a truck and a wallaby died following an abscess on its tail. A flamingo died after breaking a wing.
The two 15-week snow leopards, named Miska and Natasja, had been unveiled to TV crews amid great fanfare weeks before their deaths.
A spokesman for Mr Gill told the BBC: “The current arrangement sees the entire zoo site leased to Cumbria Zoo Company Limited.
“Mr Gill remains the licence holder, but otherwise has stepped away from all trading and management activities.”
Mr Gill has 28 days to appeal today’s decision.