South Lakes Zoo to remain open after 'overwhelming' public support

South Lakes Safari Zoo. Credit: Facebook

South Lakes Safari Zoo is to remain open, after an "overwhelming" amount of public support.

In December, management at the Zoo said it would be forced to close, because of what they called "constant harassment" by Barrow Borough Council.

The dispute centred on a council ruling that public walkways at the Zoo should be shut due to safety concerns.

But in a Facebook post, Zoo managers have now said that following more than 20,000 people signing an online petition to keep it open, they have had a further meeting with the Chief Executive of the council.

The petition. Credit: change.org

Following the meeting, which was described as "constructive" by the Zoo's management, they have pledged to remain open while the negotiations continue.

They have also said that as a major winter maintenance programme is now underway, and parts of the zoo are inaccessible, they are offering free entry in January 2016.

  • The full Facebook statement

The Zoo will now be run by a charity - the Safari Zoo Nature Foundation.