Campaigners have welcomed Basildon Zoo's decision to stop keeping dangerous animals.
The business, run by the Surcouf family in London Road, Vange, will lose its "zoo status" from November 12, meaning the rehousing of its big cat collection.
Basildon Council and Government inspectors were set to be inspect the zoo in November for the first time since the introduction of tough, new guidelines.
Daniel Turner, zoo-check co-ordinator for animal welfare group Born Free, welcomed the owner's decision to abandon its licence application.
Born Free has fought for Basildon Zoo to be closed for more than 20 years, claiming it is inhumane and has no education role.
He said the group's concerns had now turned onto how the wild animals, including a lion and leopards, would be rehoused.
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