Nottinghamshire lion keeper Reece Oliver has hit out at critics after his licence to keep wild animals was extended for another two years. Broxtowe Borough Council agreed at a meeting on Tuesday (February 21) to extend Mr Oliver's licence to keep a dangerous wild animal, which is required under legislation passed in 1976.
The 31-year-old keeps four lions, a puma and tapirs - among other species - at his family's farm in Strelley Village. Broxtowe Borough Council's decision came despite protestors travelling to the meeting from as far as Sheffield, voicing concerns about Mr Oliver's separate plans for a new multi-million-pound animal sanctuary.
The Broxtowe Retreat would be situated on land near Station House in Trowell and would comprise 27 guest lodges, as well as a themed spa and restaurant, with the expectation that it would create more than 60 jobs. Speaking about concerns around the Broxtowe Retreat in particular, Reece Oliver told the Sunday Star: "They were protesting about the site but they weren't local, they were animal rights activists.
