A unanimous council committee decision has rejected to renew the license of South Lakes Safari Zoo after knowing that almost 500 animals died in just two years in its care. The Barrow Council gave its ultimatum of turning down the application of renewal after concerns over animal welfare have been raised.
Zoo founder David Gill is under fire as the government refused the business license renewal if the same management runs the zoo. This has forced Gill to lease the establishment to Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd (CZCL) in a span of six months while retaining the title-ship of a landowner.
The CZCL said in a statement: "Application to hold a zoo license has been submitted and we will have our licensing inspection later this month, and the licensing process will then continue. We are aware of the decision to refuse Mr. Gills application. Safari Zoo remains open, and CZCL need your support."
Meanwhile, the zoo is open to everyone for free from Jan. 1 to March 20. Inspections have been made to the new zoo owner when they have sat as management on Jan 23 and found that CZCL has met the criteria to run the zoo. In fact, the new administration has received positive feedback for overseeing the establishment.
Chairman of the council committee Tony Callister had found Gill's management of the place as unsatisfactory. According to Mirror UK, inspectors were perturbed of the deficiencies in the accommodation, as well as the overcrowding and lack of proper animal care.
South Lakes Safari Zoo started having the media's attention in 2013, when a young keeper, Sarah McClay, was mauled to death by a tiger. More than £300,000 was fined from the zoo for health and safety concerns.
The tiger was among the animals that were put to death--along with two snow leopards, a giraffe, and seven lion cubs.
