🔗 Share this article

A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to euthanise two of its older lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still unclear, following monetary problems.

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

In a online announcement, the establishment explained that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a tough decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The employees and I are heartbroken,” commented the facility’s manager.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a big cat facility under different management, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but significant capital investment,” the director added.

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

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were worsening. These choices were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the manager stated.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the remaining five lions, which the facility had previously indicated would be put down.

“A few individuals have expressed interest in purchasing the property and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is tight and the situation remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to investigate this option and keep hope alive.”

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

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with comments from members of the public, begging for a reprieve for the other big cats, while former staff members expressed optimism that the sanctuary would rethink the course of action to end their lives.

The director noted that alongside the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered hostile and abusive remarks.

“This is deeply distressing,” she said. “We understand that passions are strong, but we ask for kindness and courtesy as we handle this devastating situation.”

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The regulatory body clarified that the choice to euthanise the big cats lay with the owners, and that it had been advised of the intention.

A senior official commented that putting down had to be performed compassionately, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be onsite to confirm this is done correctly,” the spokesperson said. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to satisfy its wildlife protection and enclosure requirements.”

The park gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a broadcast series about a famous animal trainer.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was mauled to death by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The park repeatedly encountered financial trouble and workforce challenges, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the government agency instructed the facility to close until the habitats were improved. It restarted in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.