🔗 Share this article

A financially troubled wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it was obliged to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei ceased operations over the weekend.

In a online announcement, the facility explained that its owner had put the property 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.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The employees and I are deeply saddened,” stated the sanctuary’s operator.

“Although it might potentially continue as a big cat facility under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but substantial financial backing,” the operator noted.

In a subsequent announcement, the park announced that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We had to part with Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were worsening. These actions were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the operator remarked.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the other five lions, which the park had previously indicated would be put down.

“A several interested parties have expressed interest in buying the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. Although the deadline is tight and the situation remain unclear, we are doing everything we can to pursue this option and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “practical or humane alternative” due to their age, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.

The sanctuary’s updates were overwhelmed by comments from concerned citizens, begging for a second chance for the surviving lions, while past workers expressed desire that the sanctuary would reconsider the plan to put them down.

The operator noted that alongside the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to hostile and insulting comments.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she remarked. “We understand that passions are strong, but we appeal for consideration and decency as we handle this tragic predicament.”

The property owner refused to comment.

The government department stated that the decision to humanely kill the lions lay with the proprietors, and that it had been notified of the plan.

A high-ranking officer stated that humane killing had to be performed ethically, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

“An animal welfare inspector will be on location to ensure this is done correctly,” the representative stated. “We are assured that the facility continues to satisfy its animal welfare and containment obligations.”

The park achieved some recognition in the early 2000s when it featured on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a white tiger while carrying out duties.

The park repeatedly encountered economic issues and staffing problems, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency directed the establishment to close until the habitats were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but entered administration in 2023.