🔗 Share this article

A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to put down two of its older lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following economic struggles.

The private wildlife reserve in the northern town of Whangārei closed its doors over the past weekend.

In a social media update, the establishment clarified that its owner had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a challenging decision made by the property owner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The staff and I are devastated,” stated the sanctuary’s operator.

“While it could potentially continue as a big cat facility under different management, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the land but substantial capital investment,” the director explained.

In a subsequent announcement, the facility announced that two of its lions had been euthanised.

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were not treatable and were declining. These actions were made with profound consideration and thoughtfulness,” the operator said.

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

“A handful of parties have expressed interest in acquiring the property and continuing to care for the lions. Although the timeframe is limited and the situation remain uncertain, we are doing everything we can to pursue this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “feasible or compassionate option” due to their age, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were overwhelmed by messages from the community, begging for a reprieve for the remaining lions, while past workers expressed desire that the sanctuary would review the decision to put them down.

The director stated that amid the sympathetic words and words of condolence, she had also encountered hostile and offensive messages.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We understand that emotions are high, but we request consideration and decency as we navigate this devastating circumstance.”

The property owner refused to comment.

The government department clarified that the choice to put down the lions was the responsibility of the proprietors, and that it had been notified of the course of action.

A senior official commented that humane killing had to be carried out ethically, and in accordance with wildlife regulations.

“An regulatory officer will be on location to ensure this is done correctly,” the spokesperson stated. “We are satisfied that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal welfare and enclosure responsibilities.”

The facility attained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a well-known lion tamer.

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

The sanctuary often encountered monetary difficulties and workforce challenges, and changed ownership repeatedly. In 2014, the regulatory body instructed the establishment to shut down until the facilities were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.