🔗 Share this article

A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was compelled to put down two of its older lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still undecided, following monetary problems.

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the 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, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a difficult decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The staff and I are devastated,” stated the facility’s manager.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a lion park under fresh proprietors, such a future would require not only the acquisition of the property but significant financial backing,” the director explained.

In a recent update, the park verified that two of its lions had been humanely killed.

“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were deteriorating. These choices were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the operator stated.

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

“A few individuals have expressed interest in buying the facility and maintaining care for the lions. While the timeframe is limited and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing all we can to investigate this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “practical or ethical alternative” due to their elderly status, the group size involved, and their demanding care.

The sanctuary’s updates were filled with messages from members of the public, requesting a stay of execution for the other big cats, while ex-employees expressed desire that the facility would rethink the course of action to euthanise them.

The operator stated that among the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also encountered hostile and insulting remarks.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she commented. “We recognize that emotions are high, but we appeal for kindness and decency as we handle this devastating situation.”

The property owner refused to comment.

The regulatory body indicated that the determination to put down the big cats lay with the landowners, and that it had been notified of the intention.

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

“An regulatory officer will be on location to confirm this is done appropriately,” the official said. “We are confident that the operation continues to satisfy its wildlife protection and enclosure responsibilities.”

The park attained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.

However, it soon encountered difficulties. In 2009, a handler was mauled to death by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The park often experienced economic issues and employment issues, and had multiple owners on several occasions. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries directed the establishment to cease operations until the facilities were modernized. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.