CHARITY bosses are concerned an upcoming inspection of an under-fire zoo will not reflect the ‘true running’ of the facility due to prior warning of the visit.

The Born Free Foundation, an international wildlife charity that campaigns to "Keep Wildlife in the Wild”, claims it has received 13 separate complaints from members of the public since June 2021 in relation to conditions at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Dalton.

This is ‘by far’ the largest number of complaints the charity received in relation to an individual UK zoo over that period, the charity says.

Following these concerns, the charity visited the Dalton attraction on October 17 and published a report online which makes a number of damning allegations against the zoo.

Born Free said an investigation into conditions at South Lakes Safari Zoo found the facility ‘fails to meet even basic standards’ of animal welfare.

After relaying their findings to Barrow Borough Council it was announced a team from the town hall will be visiting the zoo alongside a specialist vet, who is also a DEFRA zoo inspector, for an inspection set to be carried out on November 17.

READ MORE: Council to carry out Safari Zoo inspection following welfare concerns

A number of allegations made by animal charity Born Free, and also separately by a private individual, will be fully investigated as part of the inspection during which the zoo’s in-house vet will be interviewed and animal records examined.

Born Free has welcomed the council’s decision to further investigate the conditions at South Lakes Safari Zoo.

Chris Lewis, Born Free’s captivity research officer, said: “We are pleased to hear that Barrow Council will soon be visiting South Lakes Safari Zoo. We would urge the council and Defra to ensure it is individuals who have no prior history in dealing with the zoo that undertake the inspection so that the conditions can be viewed with fresh eyes and that evidence submitted by ourselves and others, is taken into account.”

READ MORE: Born Free investigation finds South Lakes Safari Zoo 'fails to meet basic standards' of animal welfare

However, Born Free remains concerned by the current structure and process involved in zoo inspections throughout the UK, including the prior warning that zoos receive. 

Mr Lewis added: “The advanced warning a zoo is provided ahead of an inspection is further testament as to why the zoo inspection process within the UK needs a radical rethink by Defra.

“In this case, South Lakes have been provided with almost a month’s warning. With zoos being able to prepare for visits, inspectors may often not see the true running of a facility. A hybrid system of announced and unannounced visits similar to those employed under human health and social care regulations could provide inspectors with a greater insight into the running of a particular zoo.”

South Lakes Safari Zoo has refuted all allegations made by Born Free.