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A zoo that has been branded the “worst in the UK” is set to close in the coming years allegations of animal welfare deficiencies and dangerous conditions in the workplace.
South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria will close its doors at the end of December after years of reviewing the terms, including claims of avoidable animal deaths, disease and neglect.
In 2013, keeper Sarah McClay, from Glasgow, was mauled to death by a tiger and the zoo was later fined £297,500 for health and safety breaches, and in 2017 a council report found 486 animals had died in a three-year period.
The zoo announced on its Facebook page that it will be closed to the public on December 31. In a statement, South Lakes Safari said the decision would disappoint many visitors, but urged supporters to celebrate his legacy in the final weeks.
The statement does not acknowledge allegations of malpractice, but instead tries to highlight her achievements such as the protection of white rhinos and animal life-saving operations.
A BBC investigation in October reported overcrowded enclosures, unclean habitats and animals left in distressing conditions – claims the zoo has denied. In July, Westmorland and Furness Council imposed new conditions on the zoo’s license after inspectors flagged “major areas of concern”, such as inadequate security measures.
Other earlier reports of alleged poor conditions included a “skinny” meerkat struggling to find food, bear cages left dirty for too long and a newborn kangaroo drowning.
Cumbria Zoo Company Limited (CZCL) took over the zoo in 2017 after its former owner David Gill was refused a license following hundreds of animal deaths. Despite the new leadership, allegations of animal abuse persist. Six people who worked at the facility between 2017 and 2022 told the BBC that the animals “suffered a lot” and that several deaths could have been avoided.
Animal rights group Freedom for Animals has accused the zoo of failing to meet basic welfare standards. Undercover activists have reported a series of shocking incidents, including a keeper secretly filmed talking about how one kangaroo died, possibly from “lumpy jaw”, a bacterial disease linked to stress, poor diet or faecal contamination at feeding stations.
An investigating campaigner also filmed “an emaciated meerkat struggling to find food and warmth in his enclosure” and his tail appeared to be injured. According to one keeper, the lemur is believed to have frozen to death after not returning to the house overnight.
The zoo management defended the work of its veterinary team and claimed that many of the reported incidents predated its tenure. Karen Brewer, the zoo’s executive director, reiterated that animal welfare remains a top priority as the facility prepares to close.
“We work closely with zoo consultants and agencies to ensure all animals are placed in suitable, long-term homes where their needs are fully met,” she told the BBC.
As the zoo prepares to cease operations, members are invited to join tours in December to say goodbye to the animals. “There will be a lot of activities in which everyone will get involved or simply stop by and say goodbye to their old favorites,” the announcement concludes.
The zoo operator revealed in a statement on Facebook that it plans to focus on the new 120-hectare site in Tebay. He described his vision for the site as encouraging biodiversity while offering visitors the opportunity to connect with nature through hands-on experiences, such as interacting with farm animals.
The two rhinos will be among the first animals moved to the new site, which Ms Brewer described as a “safe and efficient” environment designed to prioritize animal welfare. The fate of the remaining animals, including lemurs, giraffes and kangaroos, remains uncertain as the relocation process continues.
In response to a BBC investigation, CZCL “completely denied and disputed” allegations that it engaged in practices that led to “death, injury or ill-treatment of animals”. The announcement followed a letter led by the charity Freedom for Animals, which called on Westmorland and Furness Council to take “immediate and decisive” action, including moving all captive animals to accredited sanctuaries.
The council confirmed it was continuing to monitor the zoo and, although some conditions had been imposed, a spokesman said there was “no evidence of the serious systemic animal health and welfare problems that have characterized the collection in the past”.
The Council confirmed that The Independent on Tuesday closing will take place at the end of the year. A spokesman clarified that the council “has not issued an order to close the zoo” and that the zoo will remain licensed during the transition period until the license is transferred or surrendered.
“Animal welfare is included in the terms of the current permit and the operator will be responsible for compliance even while the zoo is closed to the public,” they added. Applications for a dangerous wildlife license and a formal notice of intention to apply for a zoo license were also received, with the council pledging to engage with all parties to ensure the proper licensing process is followed.
Ms Brewer defended the zoo in November to the BBC, accusing Freedom for Animals of pursuing a “hard-line anti-captivity agenda”. She insisted the zoo remains fully compliant, noting that “three council inspections in the last 12 months” praised its “excellent veterinary programme”. Ms Brewer added that improvements were still being made to meet licensing requirements.
The council has confirmed it will continue to regulate the site and monitor animal welfare during the transition.
CZCL and South Lakes Safari Zoo have been approached for further comment.