🔗 Share this article

A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to humanely kill two of its older lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the past weekend.

In a online update, 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 put down “following a tough decision made by the landowner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The employees and I are devastated,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

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

In a recent statement, the facility verified that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were incurable and were declining. These choices were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the manager stated.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the sanctuary had previously indicated would be put down.

“A handful of parties have shown interest in buying the facility and providing for the lions. While the timeframe is limited and the conditions remain unclear, we are doing all we can to investigate this opportunity and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “practical or ethical choice” due to their age, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by responses from members of the public, begging for a stay of execution for the remaining lions, while past workers expressed desire that the facility would review the plan to euthanise them.

The director mentioned that alongside the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also been subjected to menacing and offensive comments.

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We recognize that passions are strong, but we request kindness and decency as we manage this heartbreaking situation.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The ministry for primary industries stated that the determination to humanely kill the lions lay with the proprietors, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A high-ranking officer explained that humane killing had to be performed compassionately, and in compliance with animal protection legislation.

“An regulatory officer will be on location to ensure this is done appropriately,” the official stated. “We are satisfied that the facility continues to fulfill its animal welfare and security obligations.”

The facility attained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a keeper was mauled to death by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary repeatedly experienced financial trouble and workforce challenges, and switched proprietors multiple times. In 2014, the government agency ordered the park to cease operations until the enclosures were improved. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.