🔗 Share this article

A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was forced to put down two of its older lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.

The private wildlife park in the northern city of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.

In a online announcement, the facility indicated that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

“There were no real options left. The staff and I are heartbroken,” commented the facility’s manager.

“While it could potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the property but substantial financial backing,” the operator explained.

In a later 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 serious health conditions that were incurable and were declining. These decisions were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the director stated.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the remaining five lions, which the park had earlier indicated would be put down.

“A few individuals have shown interest in purchasing the property and continuing to care for the lions. While the timeframe is short and the situation remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to pursue this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “practical or humane choice” due to their advanced age, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.

The park’s announcements were filled with responses from the community, begging for a reprieve for the other big cats, while ex-employees expressed desire that the sanctuary would review the plan to put them down.

The manager stated that amid the supportive comments and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered menacing and abusive messages.

“This is deeply distressing,” she remarked. “We recognize that passions are strong, but we request kindness and decency as we navigate this tragic circumstance.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The regulatory body indicated that the decision to put down the big cats lay with the owners, and that it had been advised of the course of action.

A senior official stated that putting down had to be conducted ethically, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An animal welfare inspector will be present to confirm this is done correctly,” the official stated. “We are assured that the operation continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and security obligations.”

The facility achieved a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it featured on a television show about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a handler was mauled to death by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary frequently encountered financial trouble and employment issues, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body directed the park to cease operations until the habitats were improved. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.