🔗 Share this article

A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was compelled to euthanise two of its older lions, with the outcome of the other five lions still unclear, following economic struggles.

The private wildlife sanctuary in the northern town of Whangārei closed its doors over the past weekend.

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

“All possibilities were exhausted. The employees and I are devastated,” commented the facility’s manager.

“Although it might potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under different management, such a outcome would require not only the acquisition of the property but substantial capital investment,” the operator explained.

In a later statement, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were declining. These decisions were made with utmost compassion and deliberation,” the manager remarked.

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

“A few individuals have expressed interest in purchasing the facility and providing for the lions. Even though the timeframe is tight and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing everything we can to investigate this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “viable or compassionate option” due to their age, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were overwhelmed by messages from the community, requesting a second chance for the other big cats, while former staff members expressed hope that the sanctuary would review the decision to euthanise them.

The manager noted that among the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered hostile and abusive comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We recognize that emotions are high, but we appeal for compassion and decency as we handle this devastating circumstance.”

The landowner declined to comment.

The government department stated that the determination to humanely kill the lions rested with the landowners, and that it had been advised of the plan.

A high-ranking officer explained that humane killing had to be carried out ethically, and in accordance with animal welfare law.

“An compliance official will be on location to verify this is done properly,” the representative noted. “We are assured that the facility continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and enclosure responsibilities.”

The park gained some recognition in the early 2000s when it appeared on a television show about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was fatally attacked by a big cat while carrying out duties.

The park often encountered economic issues and staffing problems, and switched proprietors on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency ordered the facility to shut down until the habitats were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.