THE owners of the troubled Borth Wild Animal Kingdom are due to appear in court to appeal against licensing restrictions that would see them banned from keeping dangerous animals.

Ceredigion Council imposed the conditions banning Category One animals at the end of November after taking advice from an expert zoological vet.

But owners Tracy and Dean Tweedy launched an appeal, warning it could have a devastating effect on some of the ‘dangerous animals’, which include big cats, crocodiles and some primates amongst others, which would need to be re-homed.

A preliminary hearing will now be held at Llanelli Magistrates Court on Thursday, 11 January, before a full appeal hearing in front of a district judge.

A council spokesperson said: “A hearing has been set for 11 January to be held at Llanelli Magistrates Court.

“Provided it goes ahead on the set date, the intention is for the district judge to give directions to the parties concerned from a case management perspective. A date will then be set for the appeal to be heard.”

The changes to licensing conditions were made following the escape of a lynx from an enclosure at the attraction at the end of September before it was shot dead on 10 November.

Named Lillith, the lynx was on the loose for more than two weeks despite attempts to trap it.

Soon afterwards it was revealed that a second lynx, called Nilly, had been strangled accidentally by a keeper as they were trying to move her.

The two deaths sparked outrage from members of the public.

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