South Lakes Wild Animal Park Safari Zoo 2017 news

[FunkyGibbon]

I'm a little worried that the '500 deaths in 3 years' figure is being so widely used by the media as a measure of incompetence. I'm sure this will be used to hurt other good zoos with lots of small mammals or inverts in the future.

 

[gentle lemur]

Some thoughts:
I did happen to see the CEO of BIAZA on BBC Breakfast this morning, so at least the message is getting out there past the animal righters.

Thank you for pointing that out. I never watch breakfast TV so I hadn't seen it, but I have just watched it on the i-Player and I thought Kirsten Pullen of BIAZA spoke very well and that it was a sensible and responsible interview. I am pleased that the points I made in my post above were covered.
This interview occurs almost exactly half way through the broadcast at about 7.40 am and is available to watch until 9.15 am tomorrow (Wednesday 8th).

 

[taun]

All those baboons also,,who would want them?

I'll take them....

 

[gentle lemur]

No doubt stimulated by all the media attention, today's Guardian has a general defence of zoos. Why the world needs zoos

 

[Farmer]

'Put your big boy pants on!' Sky News host shouts down Labour MP over Cumbria Zoo deaths

 

[Indlovu]

'Put your big boy pants on!' Sky News host shouts down Labour MP over Cumbria Zoo deaths

While I'm no fan of Burley (and even less of a fan of that newspaper), I think she may have a point. John Woodcock claims neither he nor the council knew what was going on - when it has been widely acknowledged by members of this site for several years (going back to 'Kadi-gate', if not long before) that this facility was a disaster waiting to happen. Much of the relevant evidence was there for the authorities to see.

 

[tetrapod]

No doubt stimulated by all the media attention, today's Guardian has a general defence of zoos. Why the world needs zoos

Article was written by Dave Hone, resident palaentologist writer and definite 'zooaphile'. Skimming through some of the comments at the bottom makes you want to scrub your eyes with steel wool though. Did make me think that BIAZA/EAZA should have a (better) strategy to deal with circumstances like this and get the right message out to the media pronto and not the half-hearted follow-up response to the loonies (who amazingly are always organised). Also utilising the pro-zoo scientist/nature presenters who are more tv-friendly to push the case wouldn't hurt - there are plenty out there.

 

[gentle lemur]

While I'm no fan of Burley (and even less of a fan of that newspaper), I think she may have a point. John Woodcock claims neither he nor the council knew what was going on - when it has been widely acknowledged by members of this site for several years (going back to 'Kadi-gate', if not long before) that this facility was a disaster waiting to happen. Much of the relevant evidence was there for the authorities to see.

True, but MPs and councillors cannot break the law. Mr G's lawyers would have had a field day if the proper process had not been followed and it could have taken even longer to sort things out. For once ZooChatters, BIAZA and CAPS can agree that this whole horrible business has shown the faults in the Zoo Licensing system - the code of practice needs to be rewritten asap and the Act needs to be amended - although it may be harder to get everyone involved to agree on the changes that are needed.

 

[bongorob]

Mr Gill's solicitor, Steve Walker said the numbers of animals who died should be taken in context and said the mortality rate at Chester Zoo was worse. Is that correct?

That statement is true, but and this is just made up figures. If South Lakes lost 100 animals out of a total of 500 then the mortality rate is 20%

If chester or any other major zoo lost 1000 out of a collection of 10000 the mortality rate is 10%. The figures by themselves are meaningless.

 

[Farmer]

The relevance of the deaths in the Zoo though aren't just in the numbers alone, it's the type of death and the slow and obvious type that people can even see and photograph etc. Animals actually falling off perches and dying on the floor whilst people are there. Animals with blood on them and with absolutely no type of enrichment at all whatsoever. Animals that pace up and down repeatedly and looking so sad. It's sad there. If you go onto the Barrow Licencing site and look up Appendix N there are detailed records of some of them. About 500. And a lot more stories are told but not on there.

 

[alfiethetortois]

Safari zoo deleted my comment on today's rant, which is the 'new company' are doing so much better than Gill etc

If they've nothing to hide stop deleting!

 

[Farmer]

I know someone thats asked them numerous times to name the "new" company members that are "New" aposed to the "old" ones they delete, and wont answer try it, I dare you lol

 

[simon lloyd]

Safari zoo deleted my comment on today's rant, which is the 'new company' are doing so much better than Gill etc

If they've nothing to hide stop deleting!

where are you commenting ? on their facebook page ?

 

[Farmer]

where are you commenting ? on their facebook page ?

not too sure. He just mentioned he kept asking

 

[alfiethetortois]

where are you commenting ? on their facebook page ?

Yes, though it's not the first time I've had a comment deleted.

By the way Farmer, im actually female.

 

[alfiethetortois]

I know someone thats asked them numerous times to name the "new" company members that are "New" aposed to the "old" ones they delete, and wont answer try it, I dare you lol

I basically asked how KB was going to ensure that there was no neglect going to happen in the 'new' zoo, given she's been employed there since 2011. It got a few likes before it was deleted. I'm not overly surprised about the deleting part. It just rattles me that they want people to think it's all shiny and new when in fact KB was there all this time, and didn't make any changes then so what's going to change if they get the new licence?

Personally I think it needs a whole new company, not one organised by Gill.

 

[bongorob]

I agree, I do not trust this new company not to involve Mr Gill in some way.

 

[simon lloyd]

I basically asked how KB was going to ensure that there was no neglect going to happen in the 'new' zoo, given she's been employed there since 2011. It got a few likes before it was deleted. I'm not overly surprised about the deleting part. It just rattles me that they want people to think it's all shiny and new when in fact KB was there all this time, and didn't make any changes then so what's going to change if they get the new licence?

Personally I think it needs a whole new company, not one organised by Gill.

i think they need to replace all the staff , and start from afresh , to many people working there with blood on their hands

 

[Farmer]

Yes, though it's not the first time I've had a comment deleted.

By the way Farmer, im actually female.

Ahhhh the "he" i referred to was my friend that was asking the Zoo page it is "he" that is a "he"

 

[cliffxdavis]

Story from the NWE Mail

The new boss of the South Lakes Safari Zoo has moved to reassure residents of Dalton amid rumours two wolves have escaped from the attraction.

Karen Brewer, chief executive of the newly formed Cumbria zoo management company said there was no truth on the rumours which are being heavily circulated on social media.

Mrs Brewer said: "I was at the zoo just half an hour ago and everything is where it should be.

Zoo boss speaks out to allay fears over escaped wolves in Dalton