Group of activists protest outside South Lakes Safari Zoo

Kerry Henley, one of the activists, said the wildlife charity Freedom for Animals (FFA) is backing up the protests about South Lakes Safari Zoo.

She said: "We are not there to cause trouble. We are there because we want the animals to be in better conditions and wellbeing.

"We want the zoo to be closed down and we want the council to revoke the licence because we are against exploitation. 

The protesters outside Safari Zoo (Image: Submitted)

"We don't feel like animals should be suffering so people can make money out of them."

Janette Kemp, CEO of landlords The Zoo Investment Company (ZIC) backed the protest.

She said: "I am aware of the action and in so far as it relates to the very poor standard of animal care provided at South Lakes Zoo I am supportive.

"At the time we acquired the freehold of the zoo in early 2021 we tried to engage with the tenants the Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd.  

"We were aware of the past problems at the zoo and from an initial assessment we concluded that significant investment was required.

"Accordingly we offered to work in partnership but our approach received a firm rejection. 

"This was extremely disappointing particularly as quickly thereafter we started to discover serious failings in the standard of welfare and care provided to the animals."

Cumbria Zoo Company, which manages South Lakes Safari Zoo, said it would not address the concerns raised by activists or the ZIC.

The activist claimed that some of the visitors approached them during the protest saying if they had known about the conditions beforehand they would not have gone in.

She added: "We are very sad to see the condition that animals are and it has been ongoing for a very long time.

"A lot of those animals need to graze - that is what they do in nature. There is not enough grazing for the animals."

In a petition launched by FFA, the charity alleged the zoo's animals are living in 'inadequate and disgraceful' conditions allowed to continue due to 'failings' by Barrow Council.

The petition asks to 'permanently revoke the zoo licence and permanently close the zoo.'

It followed a special council inspection of the zoo.

Animal welfare organisation Born Free Foundation (BFF) claimed a 'flawed' inspection process may have hindered findings.

Barrow Council had previously refuted all the allegations made by the animal charity and said it would monitor conditions it had imposed on the zoo following their inspection.

The inspection took place in November in response to reports received, over recent months, from the ZIC and BFF, that said the zoo 'fails to meet even basic standards' of animal welfare.

The BFF report stemmed from an unannounced visit to the zoo in October after the organisation had received reports of concern regarding the animals at the zoo.

South Lakes Safari Zoo previously refuted all allegations made by Born Free.

Following the inspection the council said that rodents had been found in 'multiple areas' at the site and that rhinos spent a 'significant proportion' of their time in restricted stables.

However, it did say the animal enclosures were maintained in a way that 'appears to meet the secretary of state's standards of modern zoo practice' and that animals requiring medical attention received 'appropriate levels of care in a timely manner'.