Cumbria zoo to close over 'rhino poo escape fears'

A zoo in Cumbria is closing after local councillors raised concerns that baboons could escape by climbing on rhino dung next to the enclosure fence.

South Lakes Safari Zoo in Dalton announced it would close from 9 January, saying it felt "harassed" by the council.

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A zoo inspector raised concerns over the pile of rhino dung, although the zoo said there had never been a baboon escape in the 16 years the pile of dung had been there.

Barrow Council's licensing committee also issued an order to the zoo on Thursday to prove within 28 days that its wooden aerial walkways were safe, reports the BBC.

The inspector said the timbers were rotting and there had been 20 incident of slips and trips.

The zoo denies there are any safety issues. According to the Westmorland Gazette, a zoo statement read: "Safari Zoo is to close its doors to the public from January 9, 2016.

"Due to decisions made by Barrow Borough Council today and in the past year the management have been forced by councillors and officers into a situation where they decided to close the Zoo.

"It is a difficult decision to make but the Management of the Zoo have no alternatives available to continue.

"We assure everyone that the zoo is safe and there is no evidence whatsoever to say otherwise.

"Further detailed information about the situation will be released when authorised."