To string out the appeal process and help them to stay open throughout until the Cumbria Zoo's own application is considered.? He think he indicated that was his reason himself.
I agree, although I don't think he will have much choice. I cannot see him getting another licence now. I also think he won't sell it to KB either, so the place is doomed. How can she do business with someone like him, when she has apparently severed all ties? The whole thing is a joke.
This ALL now rests on the condition 34 as I mentioned before. As to whether the current management can be classed as "Robust Management" etc...Whatever happens, the specifications needed in Cond 34 which was the reason for the Zoo closure were not in place then and from what I gather there has been no change in that state. If condition 34 was the reason for closure it still is the reason today. Or will be. As D G is the first to admit... he has appealed but in no way wants the zoo???? think about it.
Statement from SLSZ Facebook page: Latest news: Report from CZCL Licencing inspection just received. Conclusion The Secretary of State’s nominated inspectors, supported by the Local Authority veterinary advisor, are confident that the present management and staffing structure has raised standards in the Zoo sufficiently to meet Section 10 of the Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice. This, in conjunction with the key, fundamental change of the departure of Mr David Gill from any practical involvement in running the Zoo, means that it is our opinion that for all practical purposes the main aims of Condition 34 have been sufficiently met for the LA to consider that a licence could be granted to CZCL. To quote the Zoo consultant ‘it is as if the blinds have been lifted up, and sunlight is now pouring into the room’ At the March inspection, the whole inspection team were unanimous in considering that a new licence could be issued to CZCL based on the standards presented on that day. https://www.southlakessafarizoo.com...04/Inspection-Report-March-13th-14th-2017.pdf INSPECTORS have praised the work of new managers at the helm of Dalton zoo following a crucial visit last month. The latest inspection report on standards at South Lakes Safari Zoo states the Home Office appointed experts were 'impressed and highly encouraged by the improvements made' following the take over of the site by Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd in January. The team of vets, who visited in March, noted a 'palpable change of culture and attitude of staff, their level of engagement, dedication and enthusiasm, and ambitious plans to move forward now that the owner/previous director is no longer involved', the report adds. The improvements, led by Cumbria Zoo chief executive Karen Brewer, follow widespread controversy over the publication of an animal death list which revealed nearly 500 exhibits had died at the zoo in less than four years. The causes of their deaths included emaciation, exposure and poor animal husbandry It sparked a petition calling for the closure of the zoo signed by more than 200,000 people as well as from animal welfare groups including The Born Free Foundation and the Captive Animal Protection Society. The new inspection report, which is now in the hands of Barrow Borough Council, will be assessed by members of its licensing regulatory committee in the coming weeks - the people who have the power to decide whether to grant Cumbria Zoo Company a licence of its own. It is understood the committee will vote on the move at a meeting next month. South Lakes Safari Zoo is currently operating without a licence after the permit, issued to its founder David Gill, was withdrawn by borough councillors in March. They went on to issue a closure order for the premises. Mr Gill, a self-styled animal conservationist, moved to formally appeal the committee's decision last week, though his legal representative insists his client is no longer interested in running the attraction. Inspectors praise improvements following latest visit to Dalton zoo
We visited safari zoo today. Staff on welcome desk seemed friendlier. Giraffe and Rhino out on paddocks. Zebras we're having a bit of a jolly. It looked like the male was chasing after the female. When the female eventually became tired and couldn't run, the male was biting at her. It ended with the female having bleeding leg and a man going to kind a keeper as it couldn't walk far. There was a big crowd observing this and it was unfortunate that it was by the entrance so was the first thing a lot of people saw. The walk through area was much cleaner. The Tambota Avery was also much cleaner though there seemed to be a lot less parrots and no cockatoo. They could have been inside. The yellow mongoose were no longer mixed with meerkat which had a sign saying improvements were being made. As before you can't walk through the old rhino/baboon house. It's a shame as I love watching the baboons and was interested to see the improvements to the living quarters. Otters were swimming. Simangs being vocal. Penguins having a splashing time in the pool. Hippos much less muddy swamp. Didn't walk through vultures as had a toddler. It was busy, and they had sold out of ice cream by 2:30. Overall, better than it has been. They seem to be taking things on board and implementing change which is good to see.
As a separate issue than re-licensing can a zoo be prosecuted for cruelty or mistreatment? Surely the current zoo as a company or the individuals concerned should be prosecuted if there has been deliberate intent or negligence leading to death or mistreatment. If the answer is yes why has nothing been done?
The exact same people are running the Zoo right now supposedly except for David Gill.... At each meeting the possibility of bringing cruelty actions against DG are mentioned. But what some can't understand is for a lot of the time D G was abroad and these things were still going on in his absence. Surely if some were liable for the responsibility whilst he wasn't there they share liability equally. No one can tell me that whilst he wasn't there for so many times the animals couldn't have been treat better. And that applies to every single person there. Even cleaners or kitchen staff must have had some idea of the deaths there. So i absolutely agree with cliffx and also ask why.
I was wondering about this the other day but couldn't remember how far back he was away for any significant periods so didn't come to any conclusions. Has anyone any facts about when he's been absent, and for how long for, in the recent past?
Reading the current inspection report gives a clear picture of how the staff felt throughout David gills management. Some left but now have returned under the new team and some had passed on their concerns to the local authority. It also shows that David Gill was trying to keep parts of the zoo for himself by building fences and moving particular animals. It even says he moved all the picnic tables into his area and the train!!!
I think it will be a very long time before there is any real, long-term confidence in South Lakes - "new management" or not, and I am yet to be convinced that there is any proper "new management" anyway, surely the same people have just been rearranged ? I completely agree the neglect of the animals welfare should be properly investigated and charges brought if required, that would happen anywhere else, so why should South Lakes have its own rules and get away with it time and time again. Will David Gill simply walk away from his zoo..... ? I don`t think so.
Went for a visit today. Animal beddings have definetly improved across the site. There were loads of keepers around...many more then I've seen before at south lakes. Lots of improvements were going on. The mini train has gone (guessing DG has taken it....even the track has been removed!) the park seemed a lot less stocked in terms of animals. The birds that were in the new African section are now in the averiy cage.
if the male giraffe is a hybrid and therefore any offspring shall be hybrid. The zoo have a past history of telling lies regarding this. But hey ho.
