South Lakes Wild Animal Park South Lakes 2014 #2
- Thread starter Nisha
- Start date
- Status
thanks to both of you 
Tiger feeding rules :
North West Evening Mail | News | Council hits back in Dalton zoo tiger feeding row
North West Evening Mail | News | Council hits back in Dalton zoo tiger feeding row
already being discussed in this thread: http://www.zoochat.com/38/latest-rant-david-gill-381499/
May I suggest to open a separate thread for this entire tragic zoo inquest episode? Whereas I myself do find it an interesting read and valuable for those willing to participate in a discussion on the topic, I feel - no offense or disrespect intended on my part - it is a bit odd one out for a general news SLWAP thread?
The trial for the Ibis escape has been delayed until November after a legal blunder North West Evening Mail | News | FULL STORY: Legal error results in Dalton zoo chief facing wrong charges
bigcat speciali
Well-Known Member
The press article has this: "Mr Steve Walker, defending, noticed last month that the ibis is not a species listed in Schedule 9, and charging Gill with breaching section 14(1)(b) of the act was incorrect.
Instead he claimed the CPS should have charged Gill with breaching section 14(1)(a) of the act – which forbids allowing the escape of an animal which is not a wild resident or regular visitor to the UK in a wild state.
Mr Walker told the court his own research suggested the sacred ibis has been spotted in the UK and a wild colony of the birds is reportedly living in Brittany, France."
Also: "ATTRACTION BOSS SEEKS MEETING WITH COUNCILLORS
AN under-fire zoo boss has called on councillors to meet him face to face.
David Gill, owner of South Lakes Safari Zoo in Dalton, took to Facebook on Monday to offer a “public invitation” to members of Barrow Borough Council – which imposed 11 changes to the conditions of the zoo’s licence after a meeting last month.
A post on the zoo’s Facebook page read: “A public invitation to all elected councillors in the Barrow borough to meet to discuss the positive and exciting future ahead with the zoo.
“As the flagship attraction in the Lake District and north west of England, we wish to forge partnerships and a relationship that brings the borough into positive headlines for innovation and constructive partnership in tourism and sustainable conservation.”
SLSZ'S Facebook page has the following: "To all you Bird watchers out there.... can you point us in the direction of any web sites or other information that gives accurate and clear logs of sightings on non native birds in the UK over the past 5 years.
many thanks in advance."
It now comes across as if David Gill is seeking to ascertain if his ibis has been recorded coming into and out of the UK. As well as seeking to sweet talk the councilors with his balderdash nonsense. I also read that Dave Gill has thanked one councilor who has agreed to meet as well as an employment advisor from A4e (a company that has attracted some criticism from failures with DWP and that of Ofsted and many others). As usual, the inner workings of justice seem to make errors when they need not have done, such errors of law can make or break a case and sadly the fault lies squarely at the feet of those in the CPS and Court.
Instead he claimed the CPS should have charged Gill with breaching section 14(1)(a) of the act – which forbids allowing the escape of an animal which is not a wild resident or regular visitor to the UK in a wild state.
Mr Walker told the court his own research suggested the sacred ibis has been spotted in the UK and a wild colony of the birds is reportedly living in Brittany, France."
Also: "ATTRACTION BOSS SEEKS MEETING WITH COUNCILLORS
AN under-fire zoo boss has called on councillors to meet him face to face.
David Gill, owner of South Lakes Safari Zoo in Dalton, took to Facebook on Monday to offer a “public invitation” to members of Barrow Borough Council – which imposed 11 changes to the conditions of the zoo’s licence after a meeting last month.
A post on the zoo’s Facebook page read: “A public invitation to all elected councillors in the Barrow borough to meet to discuss the positive and exciting future ahead with the zoo.
“As the flagship attraction in the Lake District and north west of England, we wish to forge partnerships and a relationship that brings the borough into positive headlines for innovation and constructive partnership in tourism and sustainable conservation.”
SLSZ'S Facebook page has the following: "To all you Bird watchers out there.... can you point us in the direction of any web sites or other information that gives accurate and clear logs of sightings on non native birds in the UK over the past 5 years.
many thanks in advance."
It now comes across as if David Gill is seeking to ascertain if his ibis has been recorded coming into and out of the UK. As well as seeking to sweet talk the councilors with his balderdash nonsense. I also read that Dave Gill has thanked one councilor who has agreed to meet as well as an employment advisor from A4e (a company that has attracted some criticism from failures with DWP and that of Ofsted and many others). As usual, the inner workings of justice seem to make errors when they need not have done, such errors of law can make or break a case and sadly the fault lies squarely at the feet of those in the CPS and Court.
Is there some confusion here with Glossy Ibis- which is now becoming a more frequent visitor to the UK? I wasn't aware that Sacred Ibis are ever recorded here. Is the colony in France genuinely wild or is it feral- apart from the fact it isn't the Uk that could make a difference also.
bigcat speciali
Well-Known Member
The CPS/Court has erred in law by failure to correct their own mistake, hence why costs have been awarded to Mr Gill. According to Natural England: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/Wilson-Heydon-2010-BOU_tcm6-31673.pdf
"The terms ‘ordinarily resident’ and ‘regular visitor’ are more problematic. The prohibition on release of species
that are not ‘ordinarily resident’ or a ‘regular visitor’ provides the first line of defence in section 14. Once a species passes this threshold it must be added to Schedule 9"
There is much confusion here even with DEFRA and the Act itself, it is vague and open to conjecture.
"Control of release of non-native species
Section 14 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act makes it an offence for anyone to release, or allow to escape into
the wild, any animal which ‘is of a kind which is not ordinarily resident in and is not a regular visitor to Great Britain in a wild
state’, or which is included in Part I of Schedule 9 of the Act, or to plant or cause to grow in the wild certain
invasive plants listed in Part II of the Schedule. Note, there is no prohibition on planting, or causing to grow,
non-native plants that are not ordinarily resident in a wild state, other than those listed in the Schedule. Schedule
9 lists non-native species that are already present here but whose further spread or release is considered
undesirable (a small number of native species are also listed to prevent inappropriate releases). However, because
the Act does not define terms such as ‘ordinarily resident’ or ‘in the wild’ there are some difficulties in
determining which circumstances or species, other than those listed in the Schedule, would be ‘caught’ by section
14. To try to address this, Defra has recently published guidance on interpretation of some of these terms (Defra
2009). In the absence of case-law, we have to rely on this guidance and taking a sensible approach that is
consistent with, and will achieve the objectives of, the legislation."
Also from document (Natural England): http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/cl-consultation-document_tcm6-37389.pdf
"Sacred ibis. The Invasive Non-Native Species bird control group has requested that this species is added to the
conservation General Licence WML-GL06 to allow timely action if control of this invasive species is required in
England. The GB Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS) risk assessment for this species concludes that a
breeding population of this species is likely to establish in Britain and, should this be the case, the increase and
spread of the population is predicted to be rapid (as has been seen in France). Establishment of this species would
pose a predation threat to native species. The full risk assessment for ‘Threskiornis aethiopicus (Sacred ibis)’ can
be downloaded from the NNSS website."
Even the House of Commons has said the following (taken from: House of Commons - Invasive non-native species: Government response to the Committee's Fourteenth Report of Session 2013-14 - Environmental Audit Committee)
"LEGISLATION
Given the lack of prosecutions under Schedule 9 it seems doubtful that on its own it can provide a mechanism to "impose dissuasive, effective and proportionate sanctions for infringements" as required by the proposed EU regulation. Due to a lack of transparency and clear guidance, it appears to have done little to raise awareness of the environmental impacts of releasing non-native species. (Paragraph 60)
The Government should take the opportunity of the Law Commission Review of Wildlife Legislation (paragraph 62) and the introduction of the proposed EU regulation to revamp the Schedule 9 process, including providing a transparent listing mechanism overseen by the Non-native Species Secretariat. There should be clearly stated and agreed criteria for listing, similar to those for the UK Plant Health Register, and that list should be publicly available and continuously updated on the basis of risk assessment. (Paragraph 61)"
"The terms ‘ordinarily resident’ and ‘regular visitor’ are more problematic. The prohibition on release of species
that are not ‘ordinarily resident’ or a ‘regular visitor’ provides the first line of defence in section 14. Once a species passes this threshold it must be added to Schedule 9"
There is much confusion here even with DEFRA and the Act itself, it is vague and open to conjecture.
"Control of release of non-native species
Section 14 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act makes it an offence for anyone to release, or allow to escape into
the wild, any animal which ‘is of a kind which is not ordinarily resident in and is not a regular visitor to Great Britain in a wild
state’, or which is included in Part I of Schedule 9 of the Act, or to plant or cause to grow in the wild certain
invasive plants listed in Part II of the Schedule. Note, there is no prohibition on planting, or causing to grow,
non-native plants that are not ordinarily resident in a wild state, other than those listed in the Schedule. Schedule
9 lists non-native species that are already present here but whose further spread or release is considered
undesirable (a small number of native species are also listed to prevent inappropriate releases). However, because
the Act does not define terms such as ‘ordinarily resident’ or ‘in the wild’ there are some difficulties in
determining which circumstances or species, other than those listed in the Schedule, would be ‘caught’ by section
14. To try to address this, Defra has recently published guidance on interpretation of some of these terms (Defra
2009). In the absence of case-law, we have to rely on this guidance and taking a sensible approach that is
consistent with, and will achieve the objectives of, the legislation."
Also from document (Natural England): http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/cl-consultation-document_tcm6-37389.pdf
"Sacred ibis. The Invasive Non-Native Species bird control group has requested that this species is added to the
conservation General Licence WML-GL06 to allow timely action if control of this invasive species is required in
England. The GB Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS) risk assessment for this species concludes that a
breeding population of this species is likely to establish in Britain and, should this be the case, the increase and
spread of the population is predicted to be rapid (as has been seen in France). Establishment of this species would
pose a predation threat to native species. The full risk assessment for ‘Threskiornis aethiopicus (Sacred ibis)’ can
be downloaded from the NNSS website."
Even the House of Commons has said the following (taken from: House of Commons - Invasive non-native species: Government response to the Committee's Fourteenth Report of Session 2013-14 - Environmental Audit Committee)
"LEGISLATION
Given the lack of prosecutions under Schedule 9 it seems doubtful that on its own it can provide a mechanism to "impose dissuasive, effective and proportionate sanctions for infringements" as required by the proposed EU regulation. Due to a lack of transparency and clear guidance, it appears to have done little to raise awareness of the environmental impacts of releasing non-native species. (Paragraph 60)
The Government should take the opportunity of the Law Commission Review of Wildlife Legislation (paragraph 62) and the introduction of the proposed EU regulation to revamp the Schedule 9 process, including providing a transparent listing mechanism overseen by the Non-native Species Secretariat. There should be clearly stated and agreed criteria for listing, similar to those for the UK Plant Health Register, and that list should be publicly available and continuously updated on the basis of risk assessment. (Paragraph 61)"
If Sacred Ibis is classed as an 'Invasive' species, that seems pretty clear cut. Unless they are requesting it be added to this list but isn't classed as such at this time.
It nests in several colonies along the Atlantic coast of France, the result originally from a breeding colony in a Zoo that overflowed into the wild. Also other smaller feral colonies in Spain, Italy and the Canaries. Apparently they will predate a range of smaller animals, including eggs and chicks of waterfowl etc. Has not yet been recorded breeding in the UK, but any birds incoming to the UK would presumably originate from these other feral(not truly wild) colonies as against a completely natural colonisation.
It nests in several colonies along the Atlantic coast of France, the result originally from a breeding colony in a Zoo that overflowed into the wild. Also other smaller feral colonies in Spain, Italy and the Canaries. Apparently they will predate a range of smaller animals, including eggs and chicks of waterfowl etc. Has not yet been recorded breeding in the UK, but any birds incoming to the UK would presumably originate from these other feral(not truly wild) colonies as against a completely natural colonisation.
Last edited:
Indeed, the Sacred Ibis population in France originates from Branféré. The hundreds of animals compete with wild birds and should be exterminated.
see this discussion, with interesting reports: Feral Sacred Ibis numbers in France (and the rest of Europe))
see this discussion, with interesting reports: Feral Sacred Ibis numbers in France (and the rest of Europe))
Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
Only one bit of interesting news from yesterday's visit, the female jaguar went into labour towards the end of the day. Interesting to note that the Lowland paca are still listed in the new guidebook. 
karoocheetah
Well-Known Member
Only one bit of interesting news from yesterday's visit, the female jaguar went into labour towards the end of the day.
Shall we expect to see photos of Mr Gill and his offspring with the cub draped around them in the next day or two then?
Shall we expect to see photos of Mr Gill and his offspring with the cub draped around them in the next day or two then?
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
More than likely!!!!
Kadi Mark II, perchance......
bigcat speciali
Well-Known Member
Sadly Mr Gill has not learnt a thing from the death of Sarah McClay...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10205193028850415&set=o.521006141288947&type=1&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10205193028850415&set=o.521006141288947&type=1&theater
- Status