October 6, 2024
South Lakes Safari Zoo informed to boost rhino outdoor workout access
Rhinos outside

Rhinos at South Lakes Safari Zoo are kept at its Africa Residence

A zoo will have to present how its rhinos are equipped to graze and physical exercise outdoor soon after a report discovered they have been topic to what it identified as a “time-share” rotation.

South Lakes Safari Zoo, in close proximity to Dalton, arrived beneath the spotlight at a distinctive meeting of Barrow Borough Council’s licensing regulatory committee.

The council inspection also recommended the zoo, which will have to have a penned plan in put by February 2024.

Anna Gillard, zoo director, mentioned improvement function “speaks for itself”.

The council carried out the inspection in November, which adopted experiences from the Zoo Financial investment Enterprise (ZIC), the landlord of South Lakes Safari Zoo (SLSZ), and a single report from animal welfare charity the Born Cost-free Foundation (BFF).

Ms Gillard informed the assembly on Thursday assertions it was not working the zoo as it really should do have been “ridiculous”.

“Our data of improvement more than the past 6 years – for example, veterinary treatment to considerably diminished mortality costs to nutritional diets – speaks for itself,” she said.

Safari Zoo sign

The zoo is house to more than 1,000 animals like zebras and giraffes

The zoo has experienced a chequered past with fines imposed following a keeper was killed by a tiger in 2013, but it has been underneath new management considering the fact that 2017.

Kim Banks, animal supervisor at SLSZ, said: “You will find an unavoidable previous that shouldn’t have took place, and we will not shy away from that.”

Immediately after lengthy conversations, the licensing regulatory committee achieved a range of conclusions, which have been introduced by committee chairman Tony Callister.

Between them was that the zoo should submit a published system to the council “for how they shall present grazing and training options for all the rhinos inside of the zoo”, which has to be applied by no afterwards than 16 February 2024.

Drainage will work completed

SLSZ was also purchased to make absolutely sure it was employing effective pest management actions, the Nearby Democracy Reporting Support explained.

Pest control was a concern lifted in the November inspection, with rodents staying uncovered in “a number of areas” of the web page.

The challenge of drainage at the zoo’s Africa House – in which the rhinos are kept – was also raised at the conference.

Prior to the conference, it was confirmed in a report by Graham Barker, head of community defense at the borough council, that drainage performs at the Africa Residence experienced been finished given that the November inspection.

Mr Callister said the zoo now necessary to submit a report on the performance of the draining system at the Africa Residence to the council on a regular foundation.

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