NOAH'S Ark Zoo Farm has had its membership of an international animal charity suspended following allegations of animal cruelty.

NOAH'S Ark Zoo Farm has had its membership of an international animal charity suspended following allegations of animal cruelty.

The Wraxall attraction is currently being investigated by North Somerset Council after an undercover volunteer exposed a connection between the zoo and the Great British Circus.

The investigator, working for the Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS), also found a tiger's head in a freezer and accused the zoo of mistreating some of its animals and illegally burying a tiger's body.

As a result of North Somerset Council's decision to investigate, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), has temporarily suspended Noah's Ark's membership.

This means the attraction is no longer allowed to say it is a member of BIAZA and does not have access to the organisation's resources and extensive contacts.

BIAZA is a conservation, education and scientific wildlife charity set up to define principles with animal management and promote the values of good zoos.

BIAZA's membership and licensing committee will meet on November 25 to discuss Noah's Ark Zoo Farm and allow its owners, Anthony and Christina Bush, to put their case forward.

A final decision on the farm's future BIAZA membership will then be made by its full council.

Following the allegations made by CAPS last month, the zoo's owners firmly denied the claims and explained that they buried the tiger under farmland regulations, not realising stricter rules apply to the disposal of zoo animals.

In regards to keeping the tiger's head, feet and skin in a freezer at the site, the owners explained they had been kept for educational purposes.

In a statement, it was also explained that the zoo's camels and tigers are owned by Linctrek Ltd, a company providing trained animals for use in film, other collections and television.

A director of Linctrek is Martin Lacey, who also owns the Great British Circus.

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is allowed to continue opening as North Somerset Council is responsible for granting its licence.