🔗 Share this article

A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was forced to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.

The private wildlife reserve in the northern city of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

In a social media post, the facility clarified that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “following a difficult decision made by the landowner.”

“There were no real options left. The employees and I are devastated,” said the facility’s manager.

“Although it might potentially continue as a big cat facility under different management, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the property but significant financial backing,” the director added.

In a recent announcement, the sanctuary verified 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 deteriorating. These actions were made with utmost compassion and consideration,” the director remarked.

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

“A handful of parties have indicated willingness in purchasing the property and providing for the lions. Although the timeframe is limited and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing our utmost to investigate this option and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “feasible or humane option” due to their elderly status, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by messages from concerned citizens, requesting a reprieve for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the park would rethink the plan to end their lives.

The manager mentioned that among the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also received menacing and abusive remarks.

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

The landowner chose not to respond.

The government department stated that the decision to euthanise the cats was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A senior official stated that putting down had to be performed ethically, and in line with wildlife regulations.

“An animal welfare inspector will be present to verify this is done appropriately,” the spokesperson said. “We are assured that the establishment continues to meet its animal welfare and security requirements.”

The park attained some recognition in the early 2000s when it featured on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon ran into problems. In 2009, a handler was killed by a white tiger while carrying out duties.

The facility repeatedly encountered economic issues and employment issues, and changed ownership multiple times. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries instructed the park to shut down until the enclosures were improved. It resumed operations in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.