🔗 Share this article

A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was compelled to put down two of its elderly lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.

In a social media announcement, the facility clarified 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 put down “after a challenging decision made by the landowner.”

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

“While it could potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but considerable monetary input,” the operator added.

In a later announcement, the facility 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 incurable and were declining. These choices were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the director said.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the other five lions, which the park had previously indicated would be humanely killed.

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in buying the establishment and providing for the lions. Even though the window is limited and the conditions remain unclear, we are doing all we can to investigate this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or ethical alternative” due to their age, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were overwhelmed by comments from members of the public, requesting a stay of execution for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed optimism that the facility would rethink the decision to put them down.

The manager noted that among the kind messages and words of condolence, she had also encountered menacing and insulting comments.

“This is deeply distressing,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that feelings are intense, but we request consideration and decency as we manage this heartbreaking predicament.”

The landowner refused to comment.

The regulatory body clarified that the determination to put down the lions lay with the landowners, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A deputy director commented that humane killing had to be performed humanely, and in compliance with animal welfare law.

“An animal welfare inspector will be onsite to verify this is done appropriately,” the official stated. “We are satisfied that the facility continues to satisfy its animal care and security obligations.”

The park achieved a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it was shown on a TV program about a famous animal trainer.

However, it soon encountered difficulties. In 2009, a handler was killed by a big cat while cleaning its enclosure.

The park often ran into economic issues and employment issues, and switched proprietors repeatedly. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries directed the park to close until the habitats were modernized. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.