Conditions added to zoo licence after inspection

Inspectors found major causes for concern during an inspection in March

A zoo will stay open despite inspectors finding "many obvious declining standards".

A meeting of the regulatory sub-committee for Westmorland and Furness Council on Monday added several conditions to the licence of South Lakes Safari Zoo, near Dalton, Cumbria, following the inspection in March this year.

It discovered "major causes for concern", including a work experience student left alone with dangerous animals.

Cumbria Zoo Company Limited (CZCL), which operates the site, has said they "fully accept" its findings and that "there are no excuses".

An animal rights group Born Free first raised concerns about welfare standards in the zoo in 2022

A follow-up inspection in April reiterated the concerns, however a further visit in June found 26 out of 28 improvement directions were being complied with.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the new conditions on the licence held by CZCL now include

• providing suitable heating within the old giraffe house

• modifying the enclosure fencing of the prairie dogs to ensure that in all areas it is constructed in such a way as to prevent their escape

• ensuring the single Nyala and the wildebeest are placed with animals of the same species so they can live in "normal compatible" social groups

• closing the overflow car park until it is repaired

CZCL said it was transitioning to a new site which would address "many of the underlying infrastructure issues".

The company bought land at Brockholes Farm in Tebay in November 2022, where it has been hosting visitors in lodges since January 2023.

A spokesperson for Westmorland and Furness Council said: "We are aware of the concerns raised regarding South Lakes Safari Zoo.

"As the licensing authority, the council has investigated those concerns and sought advice from our zoo veterinary inspector on the animal welfare matters raised."