Could another Zoo be up for sale soon.
North West Evening Mail | News | ?We?re out of it,? says zoo boss in council rift
North West Evening Mail | News | ?We?re out of it,? says zoo boss in council rift
South Lakes Wild Animal Park Zoo Sale
- Thread starter Bongo
- Start date
Is this South Lakes? Depending on the price, this may be a decent investment, since they already have a decent collection (Rhinos, pygmy hippos, mandrills, lions, tigers). I can imagine that this will be alot higher than the £850,000 asking price for Borth. I may try for a loan 
He lives in America and says Britain is a "rip off" and "broken" so his tantrum doesn't have much credibility for me. Apparently the council objected to his plans for a mixed species exhibit of African lions, okapi and black-footed penguins and a walkthrough exhibit featuring wolverines. ;-)
Gentle Giant
Well-Known Member
I won't be surprised if David Gill asks for £2 millions plus!!
lechweoryx
Well-Known Member
I knew the park had a bad easter but I never thought it would come to this.
Paix
Well-Known Member
I agree, it really does just look like a big tantrum, and I understand his comments about the council (slightly) but I dont think there is any need for his big out-burst.
Personally I think this could be good for the park, you know, someone who will actually remove the Asian Short Clawed Otters from the South American exhibit, aswell as other things.
Personally I think this could be good for the park, you know, someone who will actually remove the Asian Short Clawed Otters from the South American exhibit, aswell as other things.
Paix
Well-Known Member
I told a family member about this, she replied "You dont know, he could have a slight mental problem". Is this true though? African Lions and Okapi?!?!?!?!
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Why am I not surprised by this one bit,probably because its not the first time that Mr Gill has said this,so we will have to wait and see if this time he means it or is just trying to call the councils bluff again.
Nice one, Shirokuma.
I totally agree , this is just another one of Mr Gills tantrums , it will blow over.
I didn't know he had left a zoo in Australia. I went to South Lakes when I was younger and enjoyed the day, but not been for ages. From what I've heard though it would benefit from a new owner who actually cares for the animals welfare.
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mazfc
Well-Known Member
Thank you. I'll have a look at that. I didn't realise hechad had another collection before this one.
Whoa!!!!!!!!!!!!
Careful there. Mr Gill may not be everyone's favourite zoo-owner but let's stick to the truth.
You can debate whether he "cut and ran", or was forced out by an unimpressed Australian zoo community and it's compliant public servants, until the cows come home but ......Mr Gill paid for the upkeep of his Australian animals until such time as a new buyer for the Park was found.
Careful there. Mr Gill may not be everyone's favourite zoo-owner but let's stick to the truth.
You can debate whether he "cut and ran", or was forced out by an unimpressed Australian zoo community and it's compliant public servants, until the cows come home but ......Mr Gill paid for the upkeep of his Australian animals until such time as a new buyer for the Park was found.
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Steve, if that is the case, then I would happily recant part of my observations. It is not what I have heard from other parties but you can never know the truth third hand I suppose.
However, he does seem to be a rather eccentric individual who likes to court publicity-I've seen several stories that strictly don't concern his zoo but more his lifestyle-although I suppose one could have said similar things about Durrell or Aspinall or some of the other mavericks.
However, he does seem to be a rather eccentric individual who likes to court publicity-I've seen several stories that strictly don't concern his zoo but more his lifestyle-although I suppose one could have said similar things about Durrell or Aspinall or some of the other mavericks.
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What is your evidence for saying this? I've been several times and the animals appear well cared for, even if the species mixing is not universally accepted.
Like I say, I have no 'evidence' for this, I just said from what I've heard. This could be completely false, and like I said I found it to be an enjoyable day out (though this was when I was young and knew less about animal welfare). I was simply going off what others have said, and the general opinions seem to be that South Lakes is not top-notch for animal welfare.
It probably stems from the rumours/stories of rhinos on motorways, parrots and lemurs on the loose (outside the perimeter fence), risky mixed exhibits, and high turnovers of some individual species such as macropods. Add to that the legal problems relating to pregnant staff and an equally high turnover of staff. Not making a personal comment about the park as I haven't visited for 8 years, but I've heard plenty of the stories.
Also I wouldn't put Gill in the same category as Durrell, unless you are including all private zoo owners. Gill has done alot of good work raising money for in-situ programs, but has managed to piss off alot of the zoo community at the same time. Durrell was no saint, but definitely in a different category.