A ZOO has refuted claims made by a wildlife charity that firework events are causing ‘immense stress’ to the facility’s animals.

Earlier this week animal rights charity Freedom for Animals called on Barrow Borough Council to address further issues at South Lakes Safari Zoo following concerns their use of ‘bangless’ fireworks are causing ‘immense stress’ to animals.

A Freedom for Animals' (FFA) representative visited a Christmas fireworks event held at the zoo in December.

The charity claims ‘significant noise’ from the five-minute display was present; alongside loud music which blared from the playground situated directly between the reindeer and African enclosures.

A FFA spokesman said: “From our investigator's position, a reading of 82 decibels (db) was registered on their electronic sound meter: comparable to being next to a lawnmower, a level at which sustained exposure may result in hearing loss to humans.

“Animals have much more sensitive hearing to humans, so if 82db can cause issues to human hearing, it will most certainly affect animals' more dramatically and cause far more distress. Every animal at South Lakes Zoo will have suffered stress as a result. The fact the event was held every weekend in the run up to Christmas - as well as every night through the week before Christmas Eve - shows a complete lack of consideration by zoo staff.”

READ MORE: Freedom for Animals (FFA) calls for Dalton zoo's 'permanent closure'

As well as concerns surrounding the firework events, the FFA said it found an array of further issues surrounding animal welfare.

The allegations come months after fellow wildlife charity Born Free published a report claiming the zoo ‘fails to meet even basic standards’ of animal welfare.

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

Two months on since Born Free’s visit, the FFA said the situation at South Lakes Zoo remains ‘unchanged’.

Kim Banks, animal manager for Cumbria Zoo Company, which runs the Safari Zoo, said of the Freedom For Animals claims about the displays: “Animal welfare is always our number one priority and we refute the claims made by FFA. We’ve hosted around 30 low-noise firework displays at the zoo since taking over in 2017 and there have been no issues with any animals during these events.

“We prepare carefully and fully risk-assess all events before they take place. During any events, regardless of their format, qualified staff are positioned around the zoo monitoring animal behaviour and reactions. If we had any concerns at all, the event would be halted immediately. The animals are also checked and monitored following the events in the ordinary course of running the zoo.”

Barrow Borough Council said it is following the statutory procedure and will share their inspection report following a visit in November at a licensing committee meeting held next month.