UK’s Notorious South Lakes Safari Zoo Shuts Down After Fatal Mauling, Animal Cruelty Allegations

CARLISLE (Azat TV) – The South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria, once notoriously dubbed the ‘UK’s worst,’ has officially ceased operations, closing its gates permanently at the end of 2024. This closure comes after more than a decade of intense scrutiny, marked by a tragic 2013 incident where a tiger mauled zookeeper Sarah McClay to death, followed by years of persistent allegations of severe animal cruelty and hundreds of avoidable animal fatalities, recently highlighted by a BBC investigation and charity reports.

A Decade of Controversy Culminates in Closure

For years, the South Lakes Safari Zoo, later renamed Cumbria Safari Zoo under new management, was mired in controversy over its animal welfare standards. The facility, which operated between 1994 and 2024, consistently faced public outcry and regulatory challenges. Its permanent closure at the close of 2024, while not directly mandated by the Westmorland and Furness Council, signals the culmination of these long-standing issues. The zoo itself confirmed the commencement of rehoming its animals just weeks ago, with some being relocated to facilities across the UK and as far as France.

The Tragic 2013 Mauling and Its Aftermath

A pivotal moment in the zoo’s troubled history occurred in May 2013, when 24-year-old zookeeper Sarah McClay was fatally mauled by a Sumatran tiger named Padang after it managed to escape its enclosure. The incident sent shockwaves across the UK and brought the zoo’s safety protocols into sharp focus. An inquest later found that the enclosure’s safety features were ‘inadequate’ and that the zoo’s management had been warned about the risks. This tragedy served as an early indicator of the deeper systemic issues that would continue to plague the facility for years.

Persistent Allegations of Animal Cruelty and Neglect

Following the mauling, scrutiny intensified. In 2017, former owner David Gill was denied a new license to operate the zoo after reports detailed hundreds of animal deaths. Cumbria Zoo Company Limited (CZCL) subsequently took over administration, renaming the facility Cumbria Safari Zoo, with hopes that conditions would improve. However, a recent BBC investigation revealed that welfare standards remained below par. Numerous former employees testified that animals ‘suffered greatly’ and that many deaths could have been prevented. Over a three-year period, as many as 486 animals reportedly died at the zoo, contributing to its reputation as the worst in the UK.

Animal protection charity Freedom for Animals further corroborated these concerns, accusing the zoo of failing to meet basic welfare standards. Undercover activists captured footage revealing concerning practices, including a zookeeper discussing the death of a kangaroo from ‘lumpy jaw,’ a high-mortality disease often linked to poor hygiene, overcrowding, stress, and inadequate diet. Karen Brewer, Chief Executive of CZCL, publicly denied and disputed the charity’s claims, stating, ‘Our priority at all times is the high quality of care for all of our animals.’ Despite these assurances, Freedom for Animals urged the Westmorland and Furness Council to take immediate and decisive action, including relocating all captive animals to accredited sanctuaries.

Future of Former Directors and Animal Welfare

The shadow of the South Lakes Safari Zoo’s past continues to loom over attempts to establish new animal facilities in the region. Last year, plans for a new wild animal reserve further north in Cumbria were rejected by authorities. Notably, the six directors of the proposed New Roots Holding Company (NRHC) had all previously held directorships at CZCL during its tumultuous ownership of the South Lakes Safari Zoo. This rejection underscores a sustained public and regulatory caution regarding individuals associated with the zoo’s controversial history, aiming to prevent a recurrence of the welfare issues that led to its ultimate demise.

The permanent closure of the South Lakes Safari Zoo, over a decade after a fatal tiger mauling and years of documented animal welfare failures, highlights the critical importance of rigorous oversight and accountability in zoological institutions, demonstrating that public and regulatory pressure can ultimately force the cessation of operations when standards are consistently unmet.