🔗 Share this article

A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was compelled to euthanise two of its senior lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei ceased operations over the weekend.

In a online post, the facility explained that its owner 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 “after a tough decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The team and I are devastated,” said the park’s director.

“Although it might potentially continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the property but considerable capital investment,” the operator added.

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

“Yesterday we said goodbye two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were incurable and were worsening. These choices were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the director said.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the other five lions, which the sanctuary had earlier indicated would be euthanised.

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in purchasing the facility and maintaining care for the lions. Even though the deadline is tight and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing everything we can to pursue this option and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or ethical alternative” due to their age, the quantity of animals involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were flooded with comments from the community, requesting a stay of execution for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed desire that the facility would review the course of action to put them down.

The director mentioned that among the kind messages and expressions of sympathy, she had also been subjected to menacing and abusive messages.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she commented. “We understand that passions are strong, but we ask for kindness and decency as we handle this heartbreaking predicament.”

The property owner chose not to respond.

The regulatory body indicated that the choice to put down the big cats rested with the landowners, and that it had been notified of the intention.

A senior official explained that humane killing had to be carried out ethically, and in compliance with animal welfare law.

“An compliance official will be onsite to ensure this is done properly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are assured that the operation continues to meet its animal welfare and security obligations.”

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

However, it rapidly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a keeper was killed by a white tiger while carrying out duties.

The park often ran into economic issues and employment issues, and switched proprietors on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency ordered the park to shut down until the facilities were upgraded. It reopened in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.