🔗 Share this article

A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was forced to humanely kill two of its older lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

The private wildlife reserve in the northern town of Whangārei ceased operations over the past weekend.

In a social media post, the establishment indicated 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 “following a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The employees and I are deeply saddened,” stated the facility’s manager.

“Even though it may potentially continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but considerable monetary input,” the operator noted.

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

“Yesterday we said goodbye two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were declining. These actions were made with profound consideration and consideration,” the director stated.

However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the other five lions, which the facility had earlier indicated would be humanely killed.

“A several interested parties have expressed interest in acquiring the property and maintaining care for the lions. While the deadline is short and the conditions remain unclear, we are doing everything we can to explore this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “feasible or humane option” due to their elderly status, the group size involved, and their complex needs.

The park’s announcements were flooded with messages from the community, requesting a reprieve for the other big cats, while ex-employees expressed desire that the facility would review the decision to euthanise them.

The manager noted that among the supportive comments and expressions of sympathy, she had also been subjected to menacing and offensive messages.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We understand that passions are strong, but we ask for kindness and respect as we navigate this tragic predicament.”

The proprietor refused to comment.

The regulatory body stated that the choice to humanely kill the cats rested with the landowners, and that it had been informed of the intention.

A high-ranking officer explained that putting down had to be conducted humanely, and in accordance with animal welfare law.

“An compliance official will be present to ensure this is done appropriately,” the spokesperson said. “We are confident that the operation continues to fulfill its wildlife protection and security responsibilities.”

The sanctuary attained some recognition in the early part of the century when it appeared on a television show about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a keeper was killed by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The park repeatedly encountered economic issues and staffing problems, and changed ownership multiple times. In 2014, the regulatory body directed the facility to cease operations until the habitats were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.