🔗 Share this article

A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was compelled to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the other five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.

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

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

“No viable alternatives remained. The team and I are deeply saddened,” commented the sanctuary’s operator.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the land but considerable financial backing,” the director explained.

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

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were declining. These choices were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the director stated.

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

“A several interested parties have shown interest in acquiring the establishment and providing for the lions. Even though the window is tight and the circumstances remain unclear, we are doing all we can to explore this possibility and maintain optimism.”

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

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with messages from the community, requesting a stay of execution for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed desire that the park would reconsider the plan to put them down.

The director stated that among the kind messages and words of condolence, she had also received menacing and insulting comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she commented. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we ask for compassion and respect as we manage this tragic situation.”

The property owner declined to comment.

The ministry for primary industries stated that the determination to euthanise the cats lay with the proprietors, and that it had been informed of the course of action.

A high-ranking officer commented that euthanasia had to be conducted ethically, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An regulatory officer will be on location to ensure this is done properly,” the representative stated. “We are assured that the operation continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and enclosure requirements.”

The sanctuary achieved a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a television show about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a keeper was fatally attacked by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The sanctuary frequently experienced monetary difficulties and employment issues, and changed ownership repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency directed the facility to cease operations until the enclosures were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.