🔗 Share this article

A financially troubled wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was compelled to euthanise two of its senior lions, with the outcome of the other five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern city of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.

In a social media post, the establishment clarified that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The team and I are deeply saddened,” commented the park’s director.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the property but substantial financial backing,” the director added.

In a subsequent statement, the park announced that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were deteriorating. These decisions were made with utmost compassion and deliberation,” the director remarked.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the other five lions, which the park had earlier indicated would be euthanised.

“A handful of parties have shown interest in buying the property and providing for the lions. Although the deadline is short and the circumstances remain unclear, we are doing everything we can to pursue this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “feasible or ethical option” due to their age, the group size involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by messages from concerned citizens, requesting a second chance for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed hope that the sanctuary would rethink the course of action to put them down.

The manager stated that among the kind messages and messages of sorrow, she had also received hostile and insulting messages.

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We recognize that emotions are high, but we appeal for kindness and courtesy as we manage this tragic circumstance.”

The landowner chose not to respond.

The ministry for primary industries indicated that the choice to humanely kill the lions lay with the owners, and that it had been advised of the intention.

A high-ranking officer stated that euthanasia had to be conducted compassionately, and in accordance with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be on location to confirm this is done correctly,” the spokesperson stated. “We are assured that the operation continues to meet its animal welfare and enclosure obligations.”

The sanctuary attained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The park repeatedly encountered economic issues and staffing problems, and switched proprietors multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the park to cease operations until the enclosures were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.