🔗 Share this article

A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was compelled to put down two of its older lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei ceased operations over the weekend.

In a online post, the establishment explained that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “after a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The staff and I are devastated,” stated the facility’s manager.

“Even though it may potentially continue as a lion park under different management, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the property but substantial capital investment,” the manager added.

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

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had significant medical issues that were untreatable and were declining. These decisions were made with deep care and consideration,” the manager said.

However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the other five lions, which the facility had earlier indicated would be put down.

“A handful of parties have shown interest in purchasing the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. Although the deadline is short and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing everything we can to explore this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or compassionate alternative” due to their advanced age, the number of cats involved, and their complex needs.

The park’s announcements were filled with responses from concerned citizens, begging for a stay of execution for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed desire that the sanctuary would rethink the plan to euthanise them.

The operator stated that among the kind messages and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to threatening and insulting comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We understand that passions are strong, but we ask for kindness and respect as we handle this devastating circumstance.”

The property owner chose not to respond.

The regulatory body stated that the choice to humanely kill the big cats lay with the proprietors, and that it had been advised of the plan.

A senior official commented that humane killing had to be carried out ethically, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be present to verify this is done properly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are assured that the establishment continues to satisfy its animal care and containment responsibilities.”

The park gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a broadcast series about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was mauled to death by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary repeatedly encountered financial trouble and staffing problems, and changed ownership repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the establishment to close until the enclosures were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.