🔗 Share this article

A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was forced to euthanise two of its older lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.

The private wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei ceased operations over the weekend.

In a online announcement, the establishment clarified that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

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

“While it could possibly continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the property but substantial capital investment,” the director explained.

In a recent announcement, the facility 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 decisions were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the manager stated.

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

“A few individuals have shown interest in acquiring the facility and maintaining care for the lions. Although the timeframe is tight and the conditions remain unresolved, we are doing our utmost to pursue this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or ethical alternative” due to their advanced age, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were flooded with responses from concerned citizens, requesting a second chance for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the sanctuary would rethink the plan to end their lives.

The director stated that amid the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also encountered menacing and offensive remarks.

“This is deeply distressing,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that emotions are high, but we request compassion and respect as we manage this heartbreaking predicament.”

The property owner refused to comment.

The ministry for primary industries clarified that the determination to put down the big cats rested with the proprietors, and that it had been informed of the course of action.

A deputy director commented that putting down had to be performed ethically, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be present to verify this is done properly,” the representative stated. “We are confident that the operation continues to fulfill its animal welfare and enclosure requirements.”

The sanctuary gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a broadcast series about a famous animal trainer.

However, it soon ran into problems. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary often encountered financial trouble and employment issues, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency instructed the park to shut down until the habitats were improved. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.