Borth zoo has reopened ‘against the advice’ of the council, three weeks after it was told it could no longer house lions and other dangerous animals.

The owners of Borth Wild Animal Kingdom announced on Tuesday that they were reopening the zoo, after a three-week closure.

An enforcement notice was issued on Monday, 27 January, to close its Category 1 animal enclosures, after the zoo failed to comply with a licence requirement to have adequate staff registered to handle firearms. The zoo had 28 days to appeal.

Owners Dean and Tracy Tweedy agreed to close the whole zoo on a voluntary basis.

However, on the zoo’s Facebook page on 18 February, they said they were reopening “for the foreseeable future”, despite not resolving the issue, but insisting they have put in place extra security measures.

In the statement, Dean and Tracy Tweedy (pictured) said: “Unfortunately, we have not been able to fully resolve the firearms situation due to the powers that be and are opening against the advice of the licensing authority.

“However, we have put in place extra security measures to ensure everyone’s safety and we will be keeping the lion area closed.

“We would like to reassure you that we take your safety extremely seriously and will be keeping a careful watch to ensure there are no issues.”

A Ceredigion County Council spokesman said the council has been made aware of the current situation with regards to Borth Wild Animal Kingdom.

It is currently reviewing the situation and considering all options available to it.