Anarchy at Britain's WORST zoo exposed: How depressed animals were 'trapped' in cramped enclosures full of faeces, froze to death, accidentally electrocuted and mowed down by a miniature train
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Nestled in the picturesque Cumbrian landscape, South Lakes Safari Zoo billed itself as a family-friendly haven offering exotic animal encounters. Since opening in 1994, its colourful adverts and promises of up-close experiences have drawn in millions of visitors.
![[A series of tragic losses at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria - including animals run over by a miniature train or electrocuted by fencing - sparked outrage aimed at its colourful millionaire founder, David Gill]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/20/10/93204197-14213379-A_series_of_tragic_losses_at_South_Lakes_Safari_Zoo_in_Cumbria_i-a-2_1734690983851.jpg)
But behind the carefully curated facade lies a bleaker reality, one that earned it the grim reputation as 'Britain's worst zoo'. Following years of animal cruelty allegations and a string of tragic incidents, management this week announced the park will close permanently at the end of December.
![[Ferrari-driving former owner Mr Gill - who appointed his Peruvian beauty queen third wife as head vet – was slammed for ‘deplorable’ welfare standards]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/20/10/93204187-14213379-Ferrari_driving_former_owner_Mr_Gill_who_appointed_his_Peruvian_-a-3_1734691626501.jpg)
As staff began the task of shutting down the sprawling 50-acre site and rehoming hundreds of animals, MailOnline visited South Lakes Safari Zoo - where owners have repeatedly denied animal welfare failings. A pungent urine-like smell struck as we first entered the Africa House, home to the zoo's on-loan giraffes.
![[A young monkey clings to the mesh below a heat lamp at the zoo amid concerns its habitat is not being kept warm enough]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/20/10/63864715-14213379-A_young_monkey_clings_to_the_mesh_below_a_heat_lamp_at_the_zoo_a-a-4_1734691685495.jpg)
Hot air blew at the animals - the zoo was previously admonished over poor heating - but it felt insufficient to counter the day's two-degree chill. In the next pen, beneath cobweb-covered ceilings, two endangered white rhinos lay listlessly in an enclosure strewn with dung.
![[Reported incidents included a capybara covered in cuts reportedly caused by fighting and a zebra with its hoof stuck in the bars of its enclosure which later had to be put down]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/20/10/93204191-14213379-Reported_incidents_included_a_capybara_covered_in_cuts_reportedl-a-5_1734691710338.jpg)
Animal charity Freedom For Animal said our images were 'very concerning', adding: 'The rhinos appear to still be suffering from overcrowding, with these animals apparently trapped indoors in a small enclosure with piles of faeces.'. Outside, two more rhinos meandered on a sparse muddy field - a far cry from the beasts' native savannah grasslands.
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