Dalton zoo bosses are ‘over the moon’ with their latest inspection – as it was revealed former boss David Gill still owns some of the animals.

A report by zoo inspectors who visited South Lakes Safari Zoo last month said some of the animals were still owned personally by Mr Gill, controlled on his behalf by Zoo Investment Company – which took over the zoo site earlier this year – but managed by Cumbria Zoo Company Limited, which runs the zoo.

The Dalton zoo site went up for sale after Mr Gill's company went into administration in 2018 and Mr Gill has no direct involvement in the attraction.

Inspectors were ‘impressed’ with improvements made since the last inspection but added that there was ‘still much to do’.

They praised the 'excellent' vet programme and as a result of the positive inspection, Barrow Council officers have recommended the zoo's licence be renewed next week.

Recommendations made by inspectors included:

  • a review of the zoo's agreement with police regarding access to and use of a rifle;
  • upgrades to the temporary terrapin and turtle enclosure, which 'barely meets the requirements';
  • adding a lay person to the zoo's ethics committee to provide 'external perspective';
  • repair work to the pool in the tapir enclosure which was in 'poor condition'.

The report said: "The inspectors had detailed discussions with zoo management regarding financial arrangements, the lease and the service agreement.

"The inspectors were satisfied on the basis of these discussions and the evidence presented that the zoo has sufficient current resources to undertake the remedial work and resolve the findings from this inspection.

"The inspectors would urge the management to focus on bringing the current facilities up to a high standard before embarking on new projects, and to ensure that each enclosure is completely finished prior to animals moving in, or the maintenance team moving onto the next task.

"It is recommended that the zoo continues to engage with the wider zoo community to help it achieve high standards of zoo management and animal husbandry and welfare."

Cumbria Zoo Company Limited CEO Karen Brewer said the team was ‘delighted’ with the inspection on March 15 and 16.

Mrs Brewer said: “We’re really pleased, we only recently had the inspection and we’re really happy with the comments and recommendation for renewal.

“It’s a really good report.

"The inspectors are the top of their game and it’s really nothing but praise.

“Of course we’re going to take onboard everything they’ve said in the report.

“When they inspected the zoo we were closed so there was a lot of work going on over the last few months which is mentioned in the report.

"It’s fantastic the zoo can now move on, look forward and get more things in the pipeline."

She added: “Overall, we’re over the moon with the report, it’s fabulous.”

The council will decide on Thursday whether to renew the licence.