MORE concerns were raised about South Lakes Safari Zoo regarding a muck heap that could have potentially aided the escape of animals.

As part of the meeting of the Licensing Regulatory Committee at Barrow Town Hall on Thursday, councillors were informed of a muck heap near the perimeter fence of the zoo that, if left there, could aid the escape of the zoo's baboons.

During a special onspection at the site in 2014, inspectors had considered the muck heap unacceptable.  

Along with the escape risk, they believed it risked passing bacterial infections to animals and risk contaminating the surrounding ground.

At the meeting on Thursday, an additional report showed that the muck heap had been moved from its original spot to another area which, it was believed, would still be causing the same risk.

Richard Garnett, the council's principal environmental health officer, said: "The zoo had not complied with this condition as the muck heap, although moved from its original position, was still adjacent to the external fence.

"Therefore, the potential for the baboons to escape still exists."

Karen Brewer, of South Lakes Safari Zoo, said: "We accept this situation. However, the reason for this is that because of the weather at this time of year it is not possible for us to get the machinery to move it off-site.

"We only ask for more time so that, when the ground improves, we can get the machinery in to move the muck and solve the issue."

It was also heard that because the new enclosure for rhinos and giraffes at the zoo would not be ready until spring 2016, the zoo would be unable to move the larger animals from the paddock at this time.

The committee ruled that the condition of the situation be elevated to a direction order with a 28 day compliance deadline to move the muck heap to the middle of the paddock and away from the fences.