A British Zoo Has Now Been Denied A License To Operate After 500 Animals And A Zookeeper Died In Four Years
A British Zoo Has Now Been Denied A License To Operate After 500 Animals And A Zookeeper Died In Four Years
The South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria, UK has finally lost its license after losing 486 animals between 2013 and 2017 and one zookeeper who got mauled by a tiger. Find out more here.
The South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria, UK has finally lost its license after losing 486 animals between 2013 and 2017 and one zookeeper who got mauled by a tiger. Find out more here.
The South Lakes Safari Zoo has been facing lawsuits and scrutiny for years over its treatment of animals and safety standards for employees. In June of 2016, one of its zookeepers, 24-year-old Sarah McClay, was mauled to death by a Sumatran tiger. The subsequent lawsuit cost the zoo nearly $312,000 followed by additional lawsuits filed when another employee fell into a cage while preparing to feed other large cats.
Now, upon closer inspection, the zoo's license has not been renewed. Between 2013 and September 2016, 486 animals died there, 182 of which were threatened species. According to Veterinary Adviser Dr. Matthew Brash:
The inspectors throughout were very strongly of the opinion that it's a mistake to concentrate on numbers. Our concern has been the cause of death or lack of action to prevent or lack of action occurred after those deaths to prevent them reoccuring.
Dr. Matthew Brash
The Telegraph, March 6, 2017
According to the chairman of the committee who denied the zoo its license this year, the decision was unanimous.
[Inspectors were] dismayed by the obvious deficiencies in the accommodation, the overcrowding and the lack of proper welfare and husbandry [and] clear picture of poor management and lack of any programme... of veterinary medicine.
Barrow Borough Council Licensing Regulatory Committee
The Telegraph, March 6, 2017
According to zoo founder David Gill's lawyer, Steve Walker, Gill only wishes to acquire a new license so that he can sell the zoo to new management under the Cumbria Zoo Company Limited. Now, what we'd like to know is...
Do you think the zoo should be allowed to reopen under new management?
Do you think the zoo should be allowed to reopen under new management?