A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to put down two of its senior lions, with the destiny of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following monetary problems.
The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern town of Whangārei closed its doors over the past weekend.
In a social media announcement, the establishment explained that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “following a tough decision made by the property owner.”
“There were no real options left. The staff 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 scenario would require not only the acquisition of the property but significant capital investment,” the director added.
In a later announcement, the park announced that two of its lions had been euthanised.
“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were worsening. These choices were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the manager said.
However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the other five lions, which the park had previously indicated would be put down.
“A several interested parties have shown interest in acquiring the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. While the deadline is tight and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing everything we can to pursue this possibility and keep hope alive.”
Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “practical or ethical option” due to their elderly status, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.
The facility’s posts were flooded with comments from members of the public, pleading for a stay of execution for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed hope that the park would reconsider the course of action to end their lives.
The operator mentioned that among the kind messages and expressions of sympathy, she had also received menacing and insulting messages.
“This is deeply distressing,” she said. “We acknowledge that feelings are intense, but we ask for compassion and respect as we navigate this heartbreaking circumstance.”
The property owner declined to comment.
The regulatory body stated that the decision to put down the big cats was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been notified of the plan.
A senior official commented that putting down had to be carried out compassionately, and in accordance with wildlife regulations.
“An compliance official will be on location to confirm this is done correctly,” the representative said. “We are assured that the operation continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and enclosure obligations.”
The facility achieved a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a well-known lion tamer.
However, it soon encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a big cat while performing maintenance.
The sanctuary frequently experienced economic issues and workforce challenges, and switched proprietors on several occasions. In 2014, the regulatory body ordered the establishment to close until the facilities were improved. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.
