New owners formally take over troubled Cumbrian zoo

The new owners of South Lakeland Safari Park have formally taken over as the operators after the previous owner surrendered his licence.

Cumbria Zoo Company Limited was granted the new licence on Tuesday, to run the troubled zoo where more than 400 animals and a zoo keeper died.

Licensing Committee members in Barrow were told inspectors were highly encouraged by improvements made under a new management team.

The founder, David Gill, was refused a new licence in March after Government inspectors voiced concerns over the zoo's management structure and veterinary care which it labelled "inadequate".

The Council were told he'd stepped away from all trading and management.

The Captive Animals Protection Society say the zoo's failings cannot be pinned on one person: