simon lloyd
Well-Known Member
has it not been free entry for most of the year ?
South Lakes Wild Animal Park Safari Zoo 2017 news
- Thread starter Nisha
- Start date
Breaking news: A statement issued in the past few minutes confirms that the licence application by CZCL has been approved by Barrow Council
The future of a controversial zoo has been secured for the next four years during a crucial meeting today.
Cumbria Zoo company ltd was granted a licence to operate south lakes safari zoo by members of Barrow Borough Council's licencing regulatory committee.
But directors of the new company, formed in January, have been told they must meet a long list of conditions not risk breaching their licence.
Cumbria Zoo boss Karen Brewer said it felt 'liberating' to finally be in control of the Dalton attraction's destiny.
"This is the first time that I can sit before you and give you my own thoughts rather than those of my former employer.
"It feels like all the hard work of the last 17 weeks have finally paid off.
"It also feels liberating to be in control of the destiny of the zoo," she added.
The decision was made following a site visit to the zoo this morning and a tense six hour meeting at Barrow Town Hall.
Written evidence was read out from former zoo employee James Potter while a representative from the Captive Animal Protection Society also urged councillors to reject the licence application.
But Cumbria Zoo directors attempted to allay fears for the welfare of animals with the introduction of the firm's new curator; Austrian zoo consultant Andreas Kaufmann.
Mr Kaufmann confirmed he had been offered a job at Dalton zoo last year but had turned it down because he did not want to work under the leadership of its founder David Gill.
He said: "The main difference now is that there are professionals in place who cooperate with each other and know the value of expert veterinary advice.
"Now, there is nobody ignorant or non-educated above these decisions.
A report by government zoo inspectors following a visit to the site in January raised serious concerns about conditions for animals at the zoo.
An audit of post mortems carried out over the past four years also revealed that almost 400 had died - of causes including emaciation, exposure and poor animal husbandry.
A fresh zoo inspection carried out in March found significant improvements had been secured under the running of Cumbria Zoo Company.
The inspection team said the new firm met all requirements necessary for a licence to be granted.
Documents supplied to the meeting reveal Cumbria Zoo Company is now set to enter into an eight year lease to take legal control of the attraction.
A full buy out option also exists subject to the directors securing finance.
The new licence will come into force once David Gill withdraws a pending appeal over the council's refusal to renew his licence
Breaking news: Zoo licence granted by councillors after seven hour meeting
The future of a controversial zoo has been secured for the next four years during a crucial meeting today.
Cumbria Zoo company ltd was granted a licence to operate south lakes safari zoo by members of Barrow Borough Council's licencing regulatory committee.
But directors of the new company, formed in January, have been told they must meet a long list of conditions not risk breaching their licence.
Cumbria Zoo boss Karen Brewer said it felt 'liberating' to finally be in control of the Dalton attraction's destiny.
"This is the first time that I can sit before you and give you my own thoughts rather than those of my former employer.
"It feels like all the hard work of the last 17 weeks have finally paid off.
"It also feels liberating to be in control of the destiny of the zoo," she added.
The decision was made following a site visit to the zoo this morning and a tense six hour meeting at Barrow Town Hall.
Written evidence was read out from former zoo employee James Potter while a representative from the Captive Animal Protection Society also urged councillors to reject the licence application.
But Cumbria Zoo directors attempted to allay fears for the welfare of animals with the introduction of the firm's new curator; Austrian zoo consultant Andreas Kaufmann.
Mr Kaufmann confirmed he had been offered a job at Dalton zoo last year but had turned it down because he did not want to work under the leadership of its founder David Gill.
He said: "The main difference now is that there are professionals in place who cooperate with each other and know the value of expert veterinary advice.
"Now, there is nobody ignorant or non-educated above these decisions.
A report by government zoo inspectors following a visit to the site in January raised serious concerns about conditions for animals at the zoo.
An audit of post mortems carried out over the past four years also revealed that almost 400 had died - of causes including emaciation, exposure and poor animal husbandry.
A fresh zoo inspection carried out in March found significant improvements had been secured under the running of Cumbria Zoo Company.
The inspection team said the new firm met all requirements necessary for a licence to be granted.
Documents supplied to the meeting reveal Cumbria Zoo Company is now set to enter into an eight year lease to take legal control of the attraction.
A full buy out option also exists subject to the directors securing finance.
The new licence will come into force once David Gill withdraws a pending appeal over the council's refusal to renew his licence
Breaking news: Zoo licence granted by councillors after seven hour meeting
This is good news. I am glad the zoo has this opportunity to continue improving. Now that it seems to have been released from the shackles of its former management, I hope it can eventually become the premier league zoo it has the potential to become.
Well all I hope is that the new management re able to get on with the job in hand, and don't back slide. Hopefully they will be well watched in the near future and any problems rectified at once, and all the animals thrive, which is all any zoo/animal interested people should care about. As long as animal welfare is paramount, does it really matter who owns the zoo.?
Couldn't put it better myself
time will tell, of course, but I am certain that all of us hope that this marks a definitive turning point.
I do like this part of the article...
This was my favourite line...
It seemed an open and shut case to me they would be granted a new licence despite, or even because of, all the upheavals. Hopefully they can move forward now.
Which document?
A slight tangent from the main discussion, but if CZCL really wishes to make a break with the past, re-branding might be a sensible suggestion. 'Cumbria Zoo' sounds a great deal more professional than 'Safari Zoo' - a name which serves as a constant reminder of David Gill's delusions of grandeur.
To the best of my recollection he never was; however he did/does hold the studbook for about half a dozen marsupial species.
He did in 2003 European studbook for White-handed Gibbon (Hylobates lar)
0:1 Nyala born this morning
‘You’d come in and think, what’s dead or escaped?’: inside Britain's most controversial zoo
I'll just leave this here...
I'll just leave this here...
I think it will take a very long time indeed before the media, and the anti-zoo fraternity, in particular forget about what has gone on at this collection. Whilst we may be willing to move on, and see how the new management team can turn the place around. The zoo continues to have a cloud hanging over it which may be stubborn to lift ? I would also question its future whilst Gill remains as landlord, as such he still retains some control, however if Karen Brewer and friends can purchase it outright it will provide a greater level of independence. In addition I would agree with those who mentioned a possible change of name to Cumbria Zoo. This would be a very good move if it happened, as it would help to distance the new from the old and show the world that the zoo is making obvious efforts to change the past and gain people's confidence.