This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-30126573
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
South Lakes zoo fined for 'threatening' birds' escape | |
(35 minutes later) | |
An animal park owner in Cumbria has been fined for allowing a "threatening" bird to escape. | An animal park owner in Cumbria has been fined for allowing a "threatening" bird to escape. |
South Lakes Wild Animal Park owner David Gill, 53, had denied personal responsibility for letting a sacred ibis fly from the zoo near Dalton-in-Furness to nearby beaches three times. | South Lakes Wild Animal Park owner David Gill, 53, had denied personal responsibility for letting a sacred ibis fly from the zoo near Dalton-in-Furness to nearby beaches three times. |
But he was fined £2,000 at Kendal Magistrates' Court and the company was fined a further £5,000. | But he was fined £2,000 at Kendal Magistrates' Court and the company was fined a further £5,000. |
Gill was convicted of three offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. | Gill was convicted of three offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. |
The birds, from Africa, are the size of a heron, with large beaks and voracious appetites. They are on a list of species the authorities do not want settled in the UK. | The birds, from Africa, are the size of a heron, with large beaks and voracious appetites. They are on a list of species the authorities do not want settled in the UK. |
Andy McWilliam, from the National Wildlife Crime Unit, said the birds cause significant damage in the wild. | Andy McWilliam, from the National Wildlife Crime Unit, said the birds cause significant damage in the wild. |
"If a sacred ibis goes through a tern colony it'll just take all the eggs, all the chicks, they basically eat anything in their path," he said. | "If a sacred ibis goes through a tern colony it'll just take all the eggs, all the chicks, they basically eat anything in their path," he said. |
The birds are supposed to have their wings clipped, or surgically treated, to stop them flying away. | The birds are supposed to have their wings clipped, or surgically treated, to stop them flying away. |
Gill did not comment following his conviction. | Gill did not comment following his conviction. |
Previous version
1
Next version