An inspection at a South Cumbrian zoo found the site appeared well but there were shortfalls in the maintenance of veterinary records.
Councillors will consider on Thursday whether to make any amendments to South Lakes Safari Zoo’s licence following the inspection in May.
Members of the regulatory committee for Westmorland and Furness Council will discuss the findings of an informal inspection of the zoo at Lindal-in-Furness, near Ulverston.
Dr Matthew Brash, the council’s professional veterinary advisor, and Ivor Churcher, the commercial team leader, carried out the inspection and were satisfied with the zoo.
In the inspection report, it said: “On the whole the zoo appears well. There has been a deliberate decrease in numbers of stock, with some species leaving the collection, for example the flamingos have departed, and wolves are about to depart.
“There have been no significant changes to the enclosures since the last inspection which took place on November 17 2022.
“A brief walk around the zoo was undertaken and all animals appeared healthy. The collection veterinary surgeon was present on site during the visit and approximately weekly visits continue.
“The giraffe Elouise with foot problems has been operated upon, and regular foot maintenance continues.”
The inspectors also found there was a decrease in rodent activity compared to their previous visit.
The report said: “During the walk round, it was apparent that there was significantly less evidence of rodent activity compared to the previous visit.
“Areas which previously been of concern regarding the evidence of rodents were noted to be remarkably clear of rodent droppings.”
However, the inspectors were concerned with the veterinary cover for animals and the maintenance of their records.
The report said: “The ownership of the animals within the collection continues to be an issue. The animals kept on site at the licensed premises now belong to different companies (or people).
“This is not uncommon within the zoo world, where many animals are often owned by different zoos, and are on loan.
“In summary the current situation, which is far from ideal, is that whilst most of the animals are still under the veterinary care of The International Zoo Veterinary Group (IZVG), those owned or managed by the Zoo Investment Company are under the veterinary care of Dr Hornby.”
The Zoo Investment Company is the current landlord of South Lakes Safari Zoo.
The report added: “The records for the animals under the care of Dr Hornby, on site at the zoo, are incomplete and basic. It is essential that Dr Hornby understands clearly the requirements under the Zoo Licensing Act and laid out in the Secretary of State’s standards of modern zoo practice regarding the keeping of suitable records on-site and available for inspection by inspectors.”
Cumbria Zoo Company Limited, which currently operate the zoo, said it was grateful for the inspection.
A statement from the company submitted to the council said: “We welcome as always the inspection report from the latest visit. We are doing everything possible to ensure any animal within the zoo perimeter receives veterinary care as and when it requires and that that care is documented in line with the SSSMZP and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons standards.
“Specialist zoo vets IZVG and Dr Karen Archer, who you will be aware is a Secretary of State zoo inspector, as well as a well-respected and extremely qualified zoo veterinarian, have an overriding eye on the whole animal collection and the veterinary care being administered and recorded and are responding immediately to any potential shortcomings or gaps.”
The inspection was carried out on May 22.
