Owners who condemned Britain's Worst Zoo: How new CEO also failed at South Lakes Safari Zoo after takeover from Stetson-wearing millionaire and his beauty queen wife
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The boss of Britain’s ‘worst zoo’ promised improvements when taking over from a Stetson-wearing, Ferrari-driving millionaire and his former beauty queen wife – but has now been forced to close it. Karen Brewer assumed control of South Lakes Safari Zoo in 2017 after previous owner David Gill lost his licence following a series of tragedies and controversies - including a young zookeeper being killed by a tiger.
![[A series of tragic losses at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria have sparked outrage among campaigners and it has now been revealed the park will shut at the end of this year]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/11/93204197-14200815-A_series_of_tragic_losses_at_South_Lakes_Safari_Zoo_in_Cumbria_i-a-2_1734436673224.jpg)
Mr Gill first opened the 51-acre attraction in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria in 1994. Campaigners have long been raising concerns about operations there, including animals run over by a miniature train or electrocuted by fencing. And the zoo was fined £255,000 after Sarah McClay, 24, was mauled to death by a Sumatran tiger during Mr Gill's time in charge.
![[The attraction was first opened in 1994 by former owner David Gill, pictured here with his wife Frieda Rivera-Schreiber - she joined the zoo's staff shortly after their wedding in 1994]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/12/93230189-14200815-image-a-26_1734437729148.jpg)
Ms Brewer vowed a turnaround when she assumed control and even allowed BBC cameras in to shoot a 'warts and all' documentary, Trouble At The Zoo, which aired in February 2018. She said at the time: 'We wanted to show that working with animals and running a complex business is emotional and is difficult and I felt the programme did capture that, and that we're all human.'.
![[As recently as October, harrowing photographs were revealed showing dead and injured animals at the zoo in Cumbria]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/11/93204195-14200815-As_recently_as_October_harrowing_photographs_were_revealed_showi-a-3_1734436708420.jpg)
Yet as recently as October this year, disturbing photographs were revealed showing dead and injured animals - and it has now been announced by owners Cumbria Zoo Company that the zoo will close on December 31. Karen Brewer (left), director of Cumbria Zoo Company Limited which runs South Lakes Safari Zoo, this week announced it would close on December 31.
![[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/2024/12/17/12/93204191-14200815-Reported_incidents_included_a_capybara_covered_in_cuts_reportedl-a-4_1734436922178.jpg)
