Penguins were left without water on a 29C day.

WARNING: Content may upset some readers

A zoo in the United Kingdom where almost 500 animals died in four years has been refused an application for a new licence.

South Lakes Safari Zoo, in Cumbria in northern England, has been the subject of welfare concerns for years.

A keeper, Sarah McClay, was mauled to death by a Sumatran tiger in 2013 and, last year, the zoo was fined almost £300,000 ($540,000) for health and safety breaches.

The tiger escaped through an unlocked gate.

Welfare reports photographed animals with health problems and, on a hot day in 2016, penguins had no water in their pool.

Captive Animals Protection Society Reports uncovered a raft of animal welfare concerns.

An inspection report for the zoo, home to 1500 animals, revealed hundreds of captive animals died of various causes including hypothermia and emaciation.

Animals were run over, died when they found their way into other animal enclosures, and suffered diseases. A jaguar was euthanised after chewing off its own paw, a tortoise was electrocuted and a rhino died when it was crushed against a barrier. Two leopards were found partially eaten, the Captive Animals Protection Society said.

The death rate was about 12 per cent and inspectors found significant problems.

Captive Animals Protection Society An emaciated kangaroo at the safari park.

A licence renewal application was unanimously rejected by Barrow Borough Council, whose members were warned by inspectors that animals could escape and harm the public if a renewal was granted.

Police also had serious concerns about the "firearms capability" of staff at the safari zoo, ITV News reported.

The committee said zoo inspectors had been "dismayed by the obvious deficiencies", citing overcrowding, the lack of proper veterinary procedures and other severe problems.

Zoo founder David Gill can appeal the rejection. He said he was stepping back from management and a new company was formed, Cumbria Zoo Company

The scale of animal abuse, neglected animals, and hundreds of deaths was revealed after a series of investigations.

A report compiled by the council showed that hundreds of animals died between December 2013 and September last year. Those 486 animals included rare and endangered animals, many of which were found partially eaten or malnourished.

The Captive Animals Protection Society said hours of submissions against the licence renewal application outlined "horrific animal suffering" and the zoo needed to close.