🔗 Share this article

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

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern town of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.

In a online post, 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 put down “following a difficult decision made by the landowner.”

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

“Even though it may possibly continue as a big cat facility under different management, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the land but substantial capital investment,” the director noted.

In a subsequent update, the park announced that two of its lions had been put down.

“Yesterday we said goodbye two of our lions, both of whom had significant medical issues that were incurable and were deteriorating. These choices were made with profound consideration and consideration,” the manager stated.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the other five lions, which the park had previously indicated would be humanely killed.

“A handful of parties have shown interest in buying the establishment and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the deadline is short and the situation remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to investigate this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “viable or humane option” due to their advanced age, the number of cats involved, and their demanding care.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by responses from concerned citizens, pleading for a stay of execution for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed optimism that the facility would reconsider the decision to euthanise them.

The director noted that among the kind messages and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered threatening and offensive comments.

“This is deeply distressing,” she said. “We understand that emotions are high, but we appeal for consideration and decency as we manage this devastating situation.”

The proprietor declined to comment.

The ministry for primary industries indicated that the determination to put down the lions lay with the proprietors, and that it had been notified of the intention.

A deputy director commented that putting down had to be carried out humanely, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be onsite to ensure this is done properly,” the spokesperson said. “We are assured that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal care and enclosure responsibilities.”

The sanctuary attained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly ran into problems. In 2009, a keeper was fatally attacked by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility often experienced economic issues and staffing problems, and switched proprietors multiple times. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries directed the facility to shut down until the facilities were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.