🔗 Share this article

A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to humanely kill two of its older lions, with the outcome of the other five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.

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

In a social media announcement, the facility indicated that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The team and I are deeply saddened,” commented the park’s director.

“Even though it may potentially continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the property but substantial monetary input,” the operator explained.

In a later announcement, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been put down.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were deteriorating. These decisions were made with profound consideration and consideration,” the director remarked.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the sanctuary had earlier indicated would be humanely killed.

“A handful of parties have shown interest in acquiring the facility and providing for the lions. Even though the window is tight and the conditions remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to investigate this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or humane choice” due to their elderly status, the group size involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were flooded with messages from the community, requesting a second chance for the remaining lions, while past workers expressed hope that the park would rethink the decision to euthanise them.

The manager noted that among the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also been subjected to threatening and abusive remarks.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she said. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we appeal for compassion and courtesy as we handle this heartbreaking predicament.”

The landowner declined to comment.

The regulatory body clarified that the determination to put down the cats lay with the landowners, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A senior official stated that putting down had to be performed compassionately, and in compliance with animal welfare law.

“An compliance official will be onsite to verify this is done properly,” the official noted. “We are assured that the facility continues to fulfill its animal welfare and enclosure requirements.”

The sanctuary gained minor fame in the early 2000s when it was shown on a broadcast series about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The park often encountered monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency ordered the park to cease operations until the facilities were improved. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.