THOUSANDS of people have signed an online petition calling for the closure of South Lakes Safari Zoo.

The petition on Change.org was launched following a shocking report detailing the deaths of almost 500 animals.

Once the petition reaches its target of 5,000 signatures, it will be presented to Barrow Borough Council.

At the time of publication the petition had reached 3,137 signatures.

Fiona Carruthers, who started the petition, has written on the site: "During the period between December 2013 - September 2016 there have been 486 deaths of animals in the care of South Lakes Safari Zoo."

She then goes on to list specific incidents contained in the report, such as the euthanasia of seven healthy lion cubs due to a lack of space.

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Other cases cited are the African spurred tortoise which died after becoming stuck in electric fencing, and a Jaguar named Saka that was put down after chewing off its own paw.

Mrs Carruthers then adds: "All the above are a few of the instances. South Lakes Safari Zoo also houses vulnerable and endangered species.

"Surely they cannot be responsible for the care of these animals due to the poor housing and lack of health care.

"I urge you not to grant a licence to South Lakes Safari Zoo and for the animals that remain there to be relocated to somewhere they can live out their lives in appropriate living conditions and to receive the care they fully need."

Last January the animal park came under the management of Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd, led by chief executive Karen Brewer just days before government inspectors carried out a two-day assessment.

The board of directors at CZCL is seeking to reassure the public that the welfare of the animals in their care is paramount – with many of the concerns addressed in the subsequent inspection report already completed. Ms Brewer said: “I think visitors will already be able to see dramatic improvements when they visit.”

With regards to CZCL, Mrs Carruthers added: "Unless someone or some organisation can step in who are not associated with Mr Gill then i feel it should be closed. Obviously if there is an organisation out there who could bring the zoo up to excellent standards and can care for the animals and public safety then that could be a way forward."

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The treatment of animals owned by the founder, David Gill has been branded the worst seen in 60 years by national campaigning charity the Captive Animal Protection Society.

The zoo has also faced criticism from the Born Free Foundation.

Many people on the Change.org site have provided a comment and reason for signing.

Karen McCann, from Glasgow, posted: "Absolutely disgusted that this place is still open."

Helen Sanderson posted: "Shut down this hell hole. Animals deserve so much better."

And Suzanne Stephen posted: "I had no idea about the horrors that lie beneath the surface in this place. A shocking number of animal casualties, must surely have to result in the park's closure."

Barrow Borough Council will have a crunch meeting on Monday to decide whether or not to re-issue the zoo with a licence.

The petition can be signed here .

Read More:

Shocking South Lakes Zoo report

David Gill wrote "textbook" on animal care