Dear John,

I wanted to share with you our latest investigation into the notorious South Lakes Zoo (Cumbria Zoo). What we found was shocking and disturbing.

Our investigator visited the zoo after shocking information regarding firework displays had reached us. Advertised as ‘bangless’ fireworks, we needed to go to see if this was really the case.

And guess what…it was not!

News of our recent investigation also made it into local and national newspapers. 

We also found that animals are still suffering inside this horrendous zoo. We found many concerns – some new and some which were previously mentioned in the Born Free Foundation’s October 2022 report still present within the zoo.

Footage captured by the FFA investigator documented:

• Firework displays carried out every day in the run up to Christmas were not ‘bangless’ and were set off right in between the reindeer enclosure and the Africa house
• Serious stereotypies (zoochosis) displayed by numerous animals, including giraffes, a tapir, leopards
• Insufficient heating in many enclosures
• Significant overcrowding and an enrichment deprived environment present in the ‘Africa House’
• A female giraffe continuing to suffer from an overgrown and curved hoof
• Severe noise levels which caused obvious distress to numerous species

We are calling once again for the closure of this horrendous zoo. Enough is enough. New management has, and will not, change the reality - it is now time for this zoo to permanently closed.

At this stage we are not calling for an action. We are waiting to hear the outcome of a council meeting, expected next month, that has been called to discuss the latest animal welfare concerns.

Once we know the outcome of this, we will be calling on you, our loyal supporters to take action and make a stand with us, to once again call for the closure of this zoo!

For now, I just wanted to keep you updated with what we have been able to do, with your support, and what we are hoping to do next.

We couldn’t do our work without your amazing and kind support. I know things are tight for a lot of people at the moment with the cost of living crisis but if you can help, please consider donating to keep our investigators out doing what they do best, finding evidence of the cruelty that so many animals go through in zoos.

I will keep you updated with the progress of this campaign, and we will soon be asking for your help with the next stage. Thank you for your continued support!

For the animals,


Laura Walton
Campaigns Manager
Freedom for Animals