🔗 Share this article

A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was compelled to humanely kill two of its older lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

The privately owned wildlife reserve in the northern town of Whangārei ceased operations over the weekend.

In a social media announcement, the facility clarified that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “after a tough decision made by the landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The staff and I are heartbroken,” stated the park’s director.

“While it could possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the land but significant capital investment,” the operator explained.

In a later statement, the sanctuary verified that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had significant medical issues that were not treatable and were declining. These choices were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the manager stated.

However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the other five lions, which the sanctuary had previously indicated would be euthanised.

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in acquiring the facility and continuing to care for the lions. While the window is limited and the circumstances remain uncertain, we are doing our utmost to investigate this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or compassionate alternative” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by comments from the community, pleading for a stay of execution for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the sanctuary would rethink the course of action to euthanise them.

The manager noted that amid the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also encountered menacing and offensive messages.

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We recognize that feelings are intense, but we ask for compassion and decency as we handle this devastating predicament.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The regulatory body stated that the decision to euthanise the cats lay with the owners, and that it had been advised of the intention.

A high-ranking officer stated that humane killing had to be performed humanely, and in accordance with animal protection legislation.

“An regulatory officer will be on location to verify this is done properly,” the official stated. “We are satisfied that the operation continues to meet its animal welfare and enclosure requirements.”

The sanctuary achieved some recognition in the early 2000s when it featured on a broadcast series about a famous animal trainer.

However, it soon ran into problems. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary frequently encountered economic issues and staffing problems, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries instructed the park to close until the habitats were improved. It restarted in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.