Mother of Scots keeper Sarah McClay killed by tiger says South Lakes Safari Zoo should close

David Gill's claim for a licence to run South Lakes Safari Zoo in Dalton-in-Furness was unanimously refused by Barrow councillors after they heard there were some 486 animal deaths at the zoo between January 2013 and September 2016 .

And Fiona McClay, whose daughter Sarah, 24, from Glasgow was killed at the zoo four years ago, says the park should be closed as there continues to be concerns about how it is being run.

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It is understood that any closure is delayed if an appeal is made, which Mr Gill has 28 days to lodge. If an appeal is lodged, it will stay open until it has been decided by the courts.

Mr Gill has handed management of South Lakes over to the Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd and said he plans to sell the zoo to that group as well.

The zoo company's application for a licence to run the park, which houses 1,500 animals including tigers, giraffes and rare birds, is yet to be heard.

"I think it should close, because this new company is formed by existing staff," said Ms McClay from West Lothian who said there remains concerns about way the zoo is being run. "And that's in the circumstances where animals are being treated poorly. "It would seem that nothing has changed there. I would hope that the zoo would be closed to the public until things are sorted out."

The animals that have either died or been put down include two snow leopard cubs found partially eaten in their enclosure and a three-year-old white rhino which was crushed against a barrier.

Seven healthy lion cubs and five young baboons were also “euthanised” because there was not enough room for them.

A sloped yard finished with smooth instead of rough concrete caused a giraffe to slip to its death.

The distressing catalogue of injuries and illnesses endured by a wide range of species at the site has been branded the worst seen in 60 years by national campaigning charity the Captive Animal Protection Society.

Maddie Taylor, of the Captive Animal Protection Society, also called for closure, saying: "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 a The zoo was fined £297,500 and ordered to pay £150,000 prosecution costs over the next 10 years over health and safety breaches connected to the death of Ms McClay.

Inspectors said the post-mortem database, detailing the deaths of 486 animals showed "a clear picture of poor management with uncontrolled breeding and lack of any programme of preventative and curative veterinary medicine, with resultant ongoing welfare issues for the animals".

Mr Gill's solicitor Steve Walker said he no longer wanted to run the zoo but did not want to see it close before new company, Cumbria Zoo Company Limited, had a licence approved.

In a statement on its Facebook page, Cumbria Zoo Company Limited, which now runs the zoo, said it was making a separate licence application.

It said although Mr Gill had been the licence holder, he had no role in the operation of the zoo.

The statement said:"We are aware of the decision to refuse Mr Gill's application. Safari Zoo remains open and CZCL need your support."

Barrow council inspectors had recommended to the council as early as January, last year that a renewal of the zoo licence should be refused unless there was a shake-up of the management while revealing a catalogue of animal welfare and safety concerns during inspections.

It was decided that while a licence expired in June, it would be extended to give the zoo operators time to meet the demands of the council over its safety and management.

Council documents from February, last year, state that Mr Gill, the founder, owner, and licence-holder had suggested the zoo would be gifted to the Safari Zoo Nature Foundation charity, he would have nothing to do with it and would not be employed by the zoo, which would have a board with a minimum of ten trustees overseeing the zoo operation.

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But the papers also revealed concern then that it had "become apparent" that Mr Gill was "overriding decisions made by the management team adding that "it is of deep concern should the licence be renewed in Mr Gill's name".

A statement by the Cumbria Zoo Company said it had  "developed and mitigated many of the welfare concerns that were inherited when we took over". 

They added: "We acknowledge that we have a long way to go and we never accept that we cannot improve our animal welfare provision. It is core to what we believe and what we do. However, words mean nothing - they are a philosophy and an idea. 

"That is why we believe in action rather than looking to blame individuals or groups that may have led to the recent historical situation reported in the press. Our actions demonstrate our commitment through what we have achieved in the last few months and through the difficult process of reviewing where we were, what had to be done to make short term gains in animal welfare and plan for the future ensuring as we develop and welcome guests through our doors we can be proud of what we have achieved and know we have provided, and continue to improve upon, optimal animal welfare."

"Questions have been asked of our dedicated team’s ability to enforce the changes needed. We know we can and we have demonstrated our commitment to Safari Zoo, the animals in our care and the legislative requirements of a modern operational zoo. Over the last six weeks we have been in complete control of the zoo and we have made significant improvements in many areas of the animal operation.

"The current situation is that South Lakes Safari Zoo is operated by Cumbria Zoo Company Limited, with Mr David Gill remaining the licence holder. The licence application for Cumbria Zoo is under review and the zoo can only operate under the licence of Mr Gill until the zoo licence for Cumbria Zoo is determined later this year.

"Mr Gill has clearly demonstrated his wish to pass his legacy to a new team whom will take the zoo forward in a positive, responsible manner ensuring legal compliance and best practice in animal husbandry, animal welfare and optimal guest experience in a safe, engaging environment for all the family. Mr Gill has no management, operational or other role in the operation of the Safari Zoo.

"We believe in the zoo, in ensuring our animals are well looked after in a safe and suitable home and thank everyone for the support demonstrated by our many visitors, friends and colleagues over what has been a difficult week."