WTH?! Zoo Where 500 Animals Died Just Got a New License – Sign Petition to Stop This

Earlier this year we were elated with the news that an awful zoo in Dalton, Cumbria in the U.K. by the name of South Lakes Safari Zoo was denied its license renewal by governing authorities. However, the zoo owner, David Gill, was allowed to appeal this decision, and he did. Unfortunately, his appeal was approved, and this dreadful zoo has been granted a renewed license to operate.

Captive Animals’ Protection Society (CAPS) has been at the forefront of the investigation of this zoo, and they have said the neglect and conditions of the animals at the facilities are some of the worst cases of animal cruelty they have ever encountered. Over 500 animals died preventable deaths at the zoo, including seven lion cubs and five baboons who were killed for no reason other than there was not enough space at the zoo. A jaguar, likely suffering from zoochosis, had chewed off its own paw, and a pair of snow leopards were found partially eaten. A tortoise was electrocuted and a rhino was crushed to death, and this was all just the tip of the iceberg.

Perhaps most notable of the tragedies at South Lakes Safari Zoo was the death of zookeeper Sarah McClay when she was mauled by a tiger. Despite her family’s requests to not kill the tiger, the wild cat was killed by the zoo with no documented reason why.

With all of these reported cases of extreme animal cruelty and neglect at the zoo, why was their appeal approved? According to a petition on Care2, David Gill passed on the responsibility of the business to a new company called Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd. However, despite a name change, the people in charge, including new CEO Karen Brewer, are the same people who were in charge during the years of rampant neglect.

Please help take a stand for zoo animals and sign this petition demanding that this dangerous zoo be shut down for good. And please share this with your friends and family and remind them why wild animals belong in the wild, not in zoos where they are exploited for profit!

Image Source: JKLingebiel / Shutterstock