OWNERS of a wildlife park where a Scots zookeeper was mauled to death have had crucial backing from government inspectors and licencing officers as they make a fresh bid to prevent closure.

In March, then owner David Gill's claim for a licence to run South Lakes Safari Zoo in Dalton-in-Furness was unanimously refused by Barrow councillors after they heard there were some 486 animal deaths at the zoo between January 2013 and September 2016 .

Fiona McClay, whose daughter Sarah, 24, from Glasgow was killed at the zoo four years ago, said at the time that the park should be closed as she said there continued to be concerns about how it is being run.

Since January the zoo has been operated by Cumbria Zoo Company Limited (CZCL) and its application will be considered by members of the council's licensing regulatory committee on May 9.

It is claimed Mr Gill is said to have stepped away from all trading and management activities connected with the zoo in Dalton-in-Furness.

The Herald:

But opponents have questioned this and objected to the prospect of the licence being awarded.

Government inspectors are now supporting CZCL's licence bid, subject to it meeting a number of conditions, following their latest site visit.

In a report to the council, the inspectors noted: "The inspectors were impressed and highly encouraged by the improvements made since the takeover of full management since January 2017, the palpable change of culture and attitude of all staff, their level of engagement, dedication and enthusiasm, and ambitious plans to move forward now that the owner/previous director is no longer involved."

In a response to the council, the Captive Animals' Protection Society said that many of the changes made "simply provide the bare minimum" and are "too little too late".

It said the changes should have been in place throughout the history of the zoo and since CZCL chief executive Karen Brewer had been in a management position.

The Herald:

The Born Free Foundation added: "It is important to note that this is not solely a management issue that can be fixed by awarding a zoo licence to another applicant. There are clearly fundamental issues including staffing, infrastructure and resources at the zoo that risk this concerning situation being perpetuated if the zoo continues to be licensed."

The  Born Free Foundation posted video of conditions at the zoo for animals in March.

And one whistleblowing zoo worker claims he was regularly forced to beg for kitchen scraps in order to provide healthy food for animals kept on site.

In a letter to the council, South Lakes Safari Zoo employee James Potter states he was told off for throwing away mouldy bread meant for some exhibits before he eventually resorted to buying reduced price fruit and vegetables from a Barrow supermarket in order to keep them fed.

And while Mr Potter has informed licencing officials that the poor feeding practices went on under zoo founder David Gill's regime, he alleges they have become worse since the attraction was taken over by Cumbria Zoo Company.

Mr Potter also alleges to have found poison for vermin laid in inappropriate locations around the siteclaims he was also ordered to power wash the big cat enclosures without a radio to summon staff if needed prior to the most recent zoo inspection taking place.

Barrow Council's licensing officer has recommended that committee members should be minded to grant a licence to CZCL for four years - subject to Mr Gill either withdrawing his own licence appeal or Mr Gill surrendering his licence.

Councillors will visit the zoo themselves on the morning of May 9 before later making their decision at Barrow Town Hall.

The Herald:

Government inspectors conceded there "might be some concern" among councillors given that the present management team and senior staff are similar to the team that worked under Mr Gill and there was no permanent suitably qualified animal manager in post.

But they added they were satisifed a robust management and staffing structure was in place with the loyalty of the keepers noted as "astonishing" and a number of specialist contractors providing assistance in the running of the zoo.

CZCL said it had advertised for the position of a full-time Animal Director and that a job offer had been made to a candidate, subject to the zoo licence being issued.

The company said it was committed to developing its "passion to make Safari Zoo a zoo that the team here can demonstrate to the world we are a positive force for change - in the care of the animals on our site, the ability to engage our guests with the natural world and our impact to make effective changes through our conservation and educational programmes".

Mr Gill's application was turned down in March after inspectors visited the zoo in January and were "dismayed by the obvious deficiencies in the accommodation, the overcrowding and the lack of proper welfare and husbandry''.