Zoo where keeper was killed by tiger faces closure

A ZOO where a keeper was mauled to death by a tiger could be closed after inspectors found 60 animals have died there so far this year.

A team of experts were sent to assess South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria. They found that more than 200 animals have died at the zoo since the start of last year.

The causes of their deaths included hypothermia, exposure, emaciation, drowning, injuries from fighting and being run over.

In their report to Barrow-inFurness borough council, the team of inspectors said they could not recommend renewing the zoo’s licence – a decision which could force the zoo to close.

The findings come after Sarah McClay, 24, was mauled to death by a tiger in 2013. The zoo’s owner David Gill claimed her death was caused by ‘keeper error’.

However the zoo was last month fined £255,000 after admitting health and safety breaches.

Miss McClay’s family are now considering civil action against the zoo.

Last night Miss McClay’s mother Fiona, 52, said her daughter would have been ‘horrified’ by the findings, adding: ‘Even for the worst-run zoo, this is unacceptable.’

A spokesman for the zoo insisted they were working ‘intensely’ to address concerns.