Maddie Taylor, campaigns officer at the Captive Animal Protection Society, said: "The findings at South Lakes Safari Zoo are some of the worst we have ever come across in 60 years.

"Our visit to the zoo combined with the zoo inspectors' reports shows high death rates of animals, animals in ill health and a lack of understanding about how to meet even the most basic needs of the animals under their care.

"We urge the local authority to take action by closing this appalling zoo down."

Mr Gill is still the licence holder but passed on responsibility for managing the zoo to Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd at the end of 2016.

A spokesman for Mr Gill told the Guardian he had since "stepped away from all trading and management activities connected with the zoo".

Karen Brewer, chief executive of Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd, said animals in the zoo were treated with respect and provided with environments that focused on their "physical and behavioural needs”.

Inspectors have recommended that the council refuses to grant a new licence when it meets to make a decision.