🔗 Share this article

A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to put down two of its senior lions, with the fate of the other five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

In a online announcement, the facility indicated that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a challenging decision made by the landowner.”

“There were no real options left. The team and I are deeply saddened,” commented the facility’s manager.

“While it could possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under different management, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the property but substantial monetary input,” the operator added.

In a recent update, the sanctuary confirmed that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“Yesterday we said goodbye two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were declining. These decisions were made with utmost compassion and consideration,” the operator remarked.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the sanctuary had previously indicated would be put down.

“A handful of parties have shown interest in purchasing the establishment and providing for the lions. While the deadline is short and the situation remain unresolved, we are doing everything we can to explore this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “viable or compassionate alternative” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their demanding care.

The facility’s posts were filled with responses from concerned citizens, requesting a second chance for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed hope that the facility would reconsider the plan to euthanise them.

The manager stated that amid the kind messages and expressions of sympathy, she had also been subjected to threatening and abusive remarks.

“This is deeply distressing,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that feelings are intense, but we request kindness and courtesy as we handle this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The government department stated that the choice to humanely kill the big cats rested with the proprietors, and that it had been notified of the course of action.

A deputy director commented that euthanasia had to be carried out ethically, and in line with animal welfare law.

“An compliance official will be onsite to confirm this is done appropriately,” the representative noted. “We are confident that the facility continues to satisfy its animal welfare and security obligations.”

The sanctuary achieved some recognition in the early 2000s when it appeared on a television show about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon ran into problems. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a big cat while carrying out duties.

The sanctuary often encountered economic issues and workforce challenges, and switched proprietors on several occasions. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the establishment to close until the habitats were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.