South Lakes Safari Zoo to close to the public
Born Free welcomes the announcement by zoo operators that the zoo is to close to the public at the end of 2024.
Zebra at South Lakes Safari Zoo (c) Born Free
South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria has been mired by controversy for many years. Multiple inspections and investigations, including by Born Free, have revealed a catalogue of animal welfare failings and avoidable animal deaths.
Earlier this year more than six thousand Born Free supporters signed a petition calling for the zoo’s licence to be revoked after yet another investigation highlighted catastrophic failings in animal care.
South Lakes Safari Zoo (c) Born Free
Problems at the zoo date back to 2013, and include the tragic death of a keeper who was killed by a tiger, almost 500 animal deaths in just three years, the controversial breeding and euthanasia of lion cubs, and a revocation of its licence in 2017. The zoo has also been involved in several legal disputes between the owners of the site (Zoo Investment Company) and the tenants (Cumbria Zoo Company Limited).
Born Free first visited the zoo in 2017, shortly before it had its licence temporarily revoked, and raised concerns with the local licensing authority in relation to animal welfare and visitor health and safety.
On 17th October 2022, following multiple concerns from members of the public about the welfare of animals at the zoo submitted through our Raise the Red Flag platform, Born Free visited again. Our observations during our visits in 2022 and 2024 demonstrated ongoing failings by the zoo to meet the standards required under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 and the Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice.
More recently, a BBC investigation which aired in October 2024, highlighted numerous allegations of animal welfare failings and avoidable animal deaths accompanied by shockingly graphic images supplied by former zoo employees.
The outcome comes after years of effort by Born Free, other organisations, including Freedom for Animals, local action groups and individuals to find solutions to this issue.
Reacting to the news, Born Free’s Captivity Research & Policy Manager, Chris Lewis said, “While we are pleased to see today’s announcement, exact details on the future of the animals and the site itself remain unclear. Born Free urges all parties to work together to ensure the welfare of the animals remains paramount until a time when appropriate homes can be secured for them.”
We will provide our supporters with further updates as and when additional details emerge.
RAISE THE RED FLAG BORN FREE INVESTIGATION 2024 BORN FREE INVESTIGATION 2022