Financially Stricken NZ Wildlife Park Puts Down Two Lions, Fate of Remaining Five Unclear

A financially troubled wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has announced it was forced to put down two of its senior lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.

The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei shut down over the past weekend.

In a social media update, the facility indicated 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 difficult decision made by the landowner.”

“There were no real options left. The employees and I are heartbroken,” stated the facility’s manager.

“While it could possibly continue as a lion park under new ownership, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the land but substantial financial backing,” the director noted.

In a subsequent statement, the sanctuary 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 thoughtfulness,” the director said.

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

“A handful of parties have indicated willingness in purchasing the facility and providing for the lions. Although the deadline is limited and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing our utmost to investigate this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or ethical choice” due to their advanced age, the group size involved, and their demanding care.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with responses from members of the public, begging for a second chance for the other big cats, while past workers expressed hope that the facility would reconsider the plan to put them down.

The operator noted that alongside the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered menacing and offensive comments.

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

The proprietor chose not to respond.

The ministry for primary industries indicated that the choice to euthanise the lions was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been notified of the course of action.

A high-ranking officer stated that euthanasia had to be conducted humanely, and in line with animal protection legislation.

“An animal welfare inspector will be on location to confirm this is done properly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are confident that the facility continues to fulfill its animal welfare and enclosure obligations.”

The sanctuary achieved a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it featured on a broadcast series about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it quickly ran into problems. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The sanctuary repeatedly ran into monetary difficulties and workforce challenges, and changed ownership repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency instructed the establishment to shut down until the habitats were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.