20th May 2025

It’s been a long decade of tireless campaign work, made possible by our loyal supporters, but today marks an enormous milestone in our mission to end the infamous saga of Cumbria Safari Zoo (formerly South Lakes Safari Zoo). This afternoon the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s planning committee REFUSED permission for Cumbria Safari Zoo’s former operators’ new site at Tebay!

Last December we were thrilled to report that the zoo’s former site at Dalton was closing, after years of work to achieve that aim. Through detailed legal reports, undercover investigations, protests, petitions signed by thousands of people, and an open letter backed by over 33 animal advocates, we urged Westmorland and Furness Council to take decisive action and close the site, where hundreds of animals and one keeper had died amid constant failures. The news was bitter-sweet however, as the operators filed plans to build a new attraction “to accommodate exotic animals including white rhino, giraffe, honey badgers, zebras, red panda, sloths and lynx along with a range of native species.”

We knew we could not let this happen, and we needed to oppose the continuation of the zoo’s legacy of misery, suffering, and death. We turned to our supporters to rally against this development, and the reaction was overwhelming. 1,044 people took part in our action to submit objections to the planning authority, and these objections are specifically referenced in the planning officers’ recommendation to refuse the proposal.

Ultimately, the proposal was refused on the basis that the new zoo was not desirable for the local area, would visually harm the landscape, and contravened local policies on sustainability. The proposal was deemed likely to harm the local area, and for that reason it was refused. Planning procedures do not take into account ethical concerns with regards to animal welfare as a rule, however the direct mention of it within the planning officers’ document, thanks directly to the actions taken by our supporters, continues to set a useful precedent: that people do not want exploitative and harmful attractions in their communities, where animals are imprisoned for life to earn profits for their jailers. 

Is it over yet?

Almost. There is a possibility that the zoo’s operators may appeal the decision. However, covert work done by activists in the local area leads us to believe that this is not their intention. We will, of course, oppose any appeal they make, and continue to monitor their operation. There is also the question of the original site at Dalton. It has been closed since December 2024, however the remaining operators, the Zoo Investment Company, have notified the local authority that they intend to apply for a licence to operate a zoo.

We are keeping a close eye on both sites and liaising with relevant authorities to ensure we do not see a continuation of Cumbria Safari Zoo in either location. While we investigate further, it’s certainly time to take a big sigh of relief as we welcome this news. Thank you to everyone who fought for this moment. Together, we can achieve a world where all animals are free from harm and exploitation, and this decision is testament to that.

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