🔗 Share this article

A financially troubled wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was obliged to humanely kill two of its senior lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still undecided, following financial difficulties.

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

In a social media announcement, the facility explained 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 euthanised “following a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

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

“Even though it may possibly continue as a lion park under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the land but significant financial backing,” the director explained.

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

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were incurable and were deteriorating. These decisions were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the director said.

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

“A few individuals have shown interest in acquiring the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. While the deadline is limited and the situation remain unclear, we are doing all we can to investigate this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or ethical choice” due to their age, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

The park’s announcements were filled with messages from the community, pleading for a reprieve for the other big cats, while ex-employees expressed desire that the park would rethink the plan to end their lives.

The manager stated that amid the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also been subjected to threatening and insulting remarks.

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we ask for consideration and decency as we manage this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries stated that the decision to humanely kill the big cats was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A high-ranking officer stated that euthanasia had to be performed compassionately, and in accordance with animal welfare law.

“An compliance official will be onsite to ensure this is done correctly,” the spokesperson said. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to satisfy its animal welfare and enclosure obligations.”

The sanctuary achieved a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it was shown on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary frequently ran into financial trouble and employment issues, and switched proprietors multiple times. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries directed the facility to close until the enclosures were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.