4th November 2024

33 animal protection organisations, veterinarians, scholars and public figures, have signed onto an open letter led by Freedom for Animals, calling on Westmorland and Furness Council to take immediate action by permanently revoking the licence of Cumbria Safari Zoo. 

The animal advocates who have chosen to sign onto this letter, have done so as they, like us, have grave concerns regarding the mounting animal welfare and public safety issues continuing to come to light at this zoo.

Despite numerous inspections carried out by the council, DEFRA, and independent animal protection organisations, including Freedom for Animals and the Born Free Foundation finding evidence of non-compliance, the situation remains unresolved and animals at risk of neglect.

The letter outlines a number of serious concerns, from overcrowding and inadequate nutrition to dangerous enclosures and neglect. Recent inspections conducted in early 2024 by council officials documented inappropriate conditions; including inadequate heating and lighting, contaminated food, faulty enclosures, and the absence of proper safety measures. Notably, the zoo was found to lack sedatives necessary for emergencies involving dangerous animals, and a keeper was documented to have entered an enclosure with a dangerous wild animal present.

In 2023/24, Freedom for Animals deployed an undercover investigator to visit the site and gain access as a volunteer, to gather crucial behind the scenes footage. Several of the issues we identified during this investigation were similarly corroborated by the council in their last inspections, which sadly highlights a systemic pattern of disregard for animal welfare standards and a lack of meaningful corrective action being taken by the zoo. 

Freedom for Animals Director, Dr. Andrew Kelly, stated:

For too long, the animals at Cumbria Safari Zoo have suffered from substandard care. Previous interventions and improvement plans have not brought about lasting change, and the pattern of neglect continues to jeopardise both animal and public safety. It’s time for the council to act decisively, by closing down the zoo and rehoming the animals to appropriate sanctuaries.

Cumbria Safari Zoo has had a troubled history, including the death of a keeper who was tragically killed there due to a faulty door lock in 2013, and over 500 animals dying there between 2013-2016. Since then, and any claimed changes of management, the zoo has continued to fall short of the Zoo Licensing Act’s welfare standards, and animals have risked suffering as a result.

Enough is enough! Join us in calling for Westmorland and Furness Council to revoke the zoo's licence, and protect the animals from further harm by closing it down! Over 8000 of our supporters, alongside members of the public and many local residents, have signed our petition demanding action from the council.

You can sign the petition here if you haven't already!

You can donate to help us carry out more investigations into neglectful zoos!

You can share our investigation videos widely, to spread the reality of how animals are being held captive at Cumbria Safari Zoo!