A ZOO inspection discovered ‘major causes for concern’ with a work experience student found unsupervised cleaning zebra and wildebeest stables – a report states.

Westmorland and Furness Council carried out an unannounced inspection of South Lakes Safari Zoo on March 15 after the authority received a letter from wildlife charity Born Free Foundation following a visit from the organisation to the zoo in Dalton.

An inspection led by Dr Matthew Brash, the council’s professional veterinary advisor and Graham Barker, head of public protection at the council, raised concerns regarding a work experience student working alone in a house holding ‘category one animals’ whilst her supervising keeper was elsewhere.

Government documents say contact between the public and animals in category one is likely to cause serious injury or be a serious threat to life.

The inspection also found a ‘lack of suitable firearms cover’ when the zoo is open to the public, a council report adds.

Cumbria Zoo Company Limited (CZCL), who operate the zoo, said in response to the inspection in March: “We are incredibly disappointed with much of what was found on the day.”

Members of the regulatory sub-committee for Westmorland and Furness Council will determine if any amendment of the licence is necessary or desirable when they meet on July 22 at Barrow Town Hall.

A summary of the inspection report prepared for the meeting says: “Although there are significantly less animals held within the zoo, there are now major causes for concern.

“As has been discussed in earlier reports, as the zoo begins to relocate to a new site, there is an increasing danger that senior staff may be spread too ‘thin’, having to work at two different sites.

“This combined with a lack of investment may lead to failings in managing the animals properly, with subsequent welfare problems and potential danger to animals, staff and the public.”

The inspection also found there to be a lack of straw, overflowing muck heap, poor keeping practices, and an increase in pest problems at the zoo, a council report said.

The summary adds: “It is essential it is made very clear to the Zoo Licence Holder that the failings found at this inspection are unacceptable and must be resolved as soon as possible.”

A response by the zoo operators said they were ‘incredibly disappointed’ with the findings on the day but disagreed that the staffing of two sites played a part.

The response states: “In answer to the suggestion that we are in a period of transition and that the staffing of two sites has taken attention from the Zoo, we don’t believe this to be the case.

“Certainly, this is a period of transition, and there is investment into a new site which is addressing many of the underlying infrastructure issues.”

Another inspection of the zoo took place in April with a report from inspectors stating that while they did not doubt the ‘hard work’ and ‘passion’ of the staff of the zoo, they are left with ‘grave concerns’ about ‘many obvious declining standards’.

However the report adds there was ‘no evidence’ of systemic animal health and welfare problems and says there is an ‘excellent veterinary programme’ at the zoo.

After the inspection in April a number of proposed directions and conditions were recommended to the zoo.

A response from CZCL to the April inspection said: “We fully accept there are findings which should not have happened, there are no excuses, we take full responsibility for these, and we have evidenced where these have been corrected or measures have been implemented to correct them.”

CZCL bought land at Brockholes Farm in Tebay in November 2022 and has been hosting visitors in lodges since January 2023.

The response adds: “Financially we have of course invested in the new development, and prioritised development at Tebay to ensure a future for Cumbria Zoo. We do not believe this has impacted on the welfare or wellbeing of the animals living at Safari Zoo, and this is evidenced in your acknowledgement that there are no animal welfare or health issues.

“Again, we in no way say this as an excuse for the findings of the inspection, but to support our view that we are doing everything in our power to maintain standards at Dalton, and to secure a future for Cumbria Zoo past the end of the lease.”

According to the report prepared for the meeting, a further visit to the zoo was undertaken on June 26 by the council to review and assess compliance with the proposed conditions and directions.

Of the 28 proposed directions, 26 have been complied with. The two remaining directions have been reworded to give clarity; the council report states.

The report adds: “Cumbria Zoo Company Limited (CZCL) have acted to resolve many of the issues raised at the inspection, the recommendations, conditions and directions.”