A petition has been launched in a bid to save an under-fire zoo in Borth that has been wound up in court over unpaid debts.

Owners of Borth Wild Animal Kingdom, Dean and Tracy Tweedy, vowed “not to give up” despite a judge ruling it must close the business over debts reaching six figures.

Ceredigion County Council, which is owed £22,000 by the zoo, has put “contingency plans” in place to look after the animals that remain on the site in the wake of the bankruptcy, and said it is “in contact with Mr and Mrs Tweedy”.

The insolvency court decision came after a troubled four years since the Tweedys took over the zoo.

In October 2017 a Eurasian lynx escaped and was shot dead by a marksman when it was found at a nearby caravan site, while another lynx died in what was called a handling error a few days previously.

Ceredigion council issued a ban in November 2017 on the zoo keeping category one animals.

This decision was reversed in July 2018 following an appeal, but was subject to conditions being met. One included having a member of a firearms team on duty every day in case an animal escaped.

In January this year the zoo was served again with a council notice to shut its dangerous animal enclosures because of inadequate firearms arrangements.

Now a petition, launched by supporters, has called on Ceredigion council to support the “amazing” attraction.

“They [Mr and Mrs Tweedy] are in the process of improving the zoo and despite being closed due to Covid-19 and lack of funds their animal care has not been compromised,” the petition says.

“Recently due to financial problems and because of the animal care being put first every time, the owners have found themselves struggling.

“Unfortunately Ceredigion council seem to want this zoo to close down.

“Already, the council have made the zoo get rid of its category one animals such as the lions, so we want to petition Ceredigion council to think again and start supporting the zoo.

“If we lose this zoo, we will be losing a tourist attraction, losing a community attraction, putting people out of work, and maybe compromising the local industry of caravan parks and second homes.”

Mr Tweedy said following the court decision that “hopefully this isn’t the end” for the zoo, and said that the support the couple had received “has been overwhelmingly positive and we are not giving up as we know how important this place is to a lot of people and animals”.

A council spokesperson said it will “act properly without fear or favour to ensure that the animals’ welfare is fully taken into account in working through this difficult situation”.

They told the Cambrian News: “The situation at Borth has been greatly complicated by the fact that Borth Wildlife Animal Kingdom Limited has been wound up by the courts and that it no longer exists as a company, leaving behind substantial debts.

“The court has appointed the Official Receiver to deal with the matter. The Official Receiver is independent of the council.

“Ceredigion County Council takes its responsibilities as the licensing authority very seriously, and whilst the council is subject to lobbying from those who want to maintain ‘dangerous wild animals’ at the location, and those that want to close it down, the council will follow the law and act accordingly.”

The petition, which has over 900 signatures, can be found at www.change.org/p/animal-lovers-and-wildlife-rescuers-save-our-borth-zoo