Struggling New Zealand Animal Sanctuary Euthanises Two Lions, Future of Five More Unclear

A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has revealed it was compelled to humanely kill two of its senior 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 weekend.

In a online announcement, the establishment indicated that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “after a tough decision made by the property owner.”

“No viable alternatives remained. The staff and I are devastated,” said the sanctuary’s operator.

“Even though it may possibly continue as a big cat facility under fresh proprietors, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the land but significant capital investment,” the manager explained.

In a subsequent statement, the facility confirmed that two of its lions had been put down.

“Yesterday we said goodbye two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were declining. These actions were made with deep care and deliberation,” the manager stated.

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

“A few individuals have shown interest in buying the establishment and maintaining care for the lions. Although the deadline is tight and the circumstances remain unclear, we are doing everything we can to pursue this opportunity and maintain optimism.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “practical or compassionate choice” due to their age, the number of cats involved, and their specialized requirements.

The park’s announcements were overwhelmed by comments from the community, pleading for a stay of execution for the other big cats, while former staff members expressed desire that the park would reconsider the plan to end their lives.

The director mentioned that among the supportive comments and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to threatening and insulting messages.

“This is profoundly disturbing,” she commented. “We recognize that passions are strong, but we appeal for compassion and decency as we navigate this heartbreaking circumstance.”

The property owner chose not to respond.

The regulatory body stated that the determination to euthanise the big cats lay with the landowners, and that it had been informed of the plan.

A high-ranking officer stated that euthanasia had to be carried out humanely, and in compliance with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be onsite to verify this is done correctly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are confident that the establishment continues to fulfill its animal care and enclosure requirements.”

The park gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a famous animal trainer.

However, it quickly encountered difficulties. In 2009, a staff member was fatally attacked by a white tiger while performing maintenance.

The park often ran into economic issues and workforce challenges, and switched proprietors multiple times. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries ordered the facility to shut down until the habitats were upgraded. It resumed operations in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.