Animal rights campaigners have welcomed the move to shut South Lakes Safari Zoo which gained infamy after keeper Sarah McClay was killed by a Sumatran tiger that gained access to an enclosure
A controversial zoo where a keeper was mauled to death by a tiger is to close, it was announced today.
Animal rights campaigners welcomed the move to shut South Lakes Safari Zoo on December 31. In a social media post, the zoo told followers: “We hope you will come and celebrate or share your memories with us before we close.”
In May 2013, keeper Sarah McClay was dragged by her neck into a den by Sumatran tiger Padang on the site. The 24-year-old from Glasgow died when the tiger gained access to the enclosure through an open gate.
The zoo was founded by David Gill who bought the land near Dalton-in-Furness 30 years ago. A local council report revealed 486 animals had died at the zoo between 2013 and 2016, including a tortoise electrocuted on fencing, a squirrel found dead behind a radiator and two snow leopards who were found partially eaten.
Stetson-wearing local millionaire Mr Gill twice hit the headlines over his love life. He left his wife for a 16-year-old zoo hand three years after opening the park in 1994.
Seven years later he was stabbed in the neck by jilted husband Richard Creary, who found the zoo owner in bed with his wife Alison. Gill then married his third wife, one-time Miss Peru finalist and vet Frieda Rivera-Schreiber. By 2017, visitors had dried up and Gill lost his licence to run the park, and it was taken over by its new operators.
Chris Lewis, Born Free’s Captivity Research & Policy Manager, said: “We welcome the news that South Lakes Safari Zoo will close to the public at the end of 2024. We have long campaigned for the closure of the site after multiple inspections and investigations, dating back to 2013, revealed a catalogue of animal welfare failings and avoidable animal deaths.
“Earlier this year more than 6,000 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. Born Free urges all parties to work together to ensure the welfare of the animals remains paramount.”
A Freedom for Animals spokesman added: “We are calling on the local authority to now ensure that every animal at the zoo is rehomed to appropriate sanctuaries, where they can receive the care they deserve and live free.”
It is understood the current operators of South Lakes Safari Zoo plan to create a ‘wild animal reserve’ at their site in Tebay, Cumbria. ‘Exotic non-native species’ are among animals proposed to be housed at the attraction.
