THE owner of the South Lakes Wild Animal Park will go on trial later this year charged with allowing a bird to escape from the award-winning attraction.

Boss David Gill, of Broughton Road, Dalton, denies letting a sacred ibis escape into the wild on three seperate occasions last year.

Mr Gill, 53, wearing a dark pin-striped suit, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during a brief hearing at Furness Magistrates' Court in Barrow.

The alleged offences took place on July 19, September 19 and October 30.

South Lakes Wild Animal Park Ltd has also been charged with the same offences.

The date of Mr Gill's trial has not yet been set.

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