A struggling wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was forced to humanely kill two of its senior lions, with the destiny of the other five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.
The private wildlife sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei closed its doors over the weekend.
In a social media post, the facility clarified that its proprietor 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 tough decision made by the property owner.”
“There were no real options left. The employees and I are devastated,” commented the facility’s manager.
“Even though it may possibly continue as a lion park under new ownership, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the property but substantial monetary input,” the operator explained.
In a later update, the park verified 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 incurable and were deteriorating. These choices were made with profound consideration and deliberation,” the manager said.
However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the other five lions, which the park had previously indicated would be euthanised.
“A few individuals have shown interest in buying the facility and maintaining care for the lions. Although the deadline is short and the situation remain unclear, we are doing all we can to investigate this option and keep hope alive.”
Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or ethical alternative” due to their advanced age, the quantity of animals involved, and their specialized requirements.
The park’s announcements were overwhelmed by responses from members of the public, requesting a second chance for the surviving lions, while ex-employees expressed optimism that the sanctuary would rethink the course of action to euthanise them.
The manager mentioned that alongside the supportive comments and words of condolence, she had also received hostile and insulting messages.
“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We acknowledge that feelings are intense, but we ask for compassion and respect as we handle this heartbreaking situation.”
The landowner chose not to respond.
The government department stated that the choice to humanely kill the lions lay with the proprietors, and that it had been informed of the plan.
A high-ranking officer explained that humane killing had to be conducted ethically, and in accordance with animal protection legislation.
“An animal welfare inspector will be present to confirm this is done properly,” the representative noted. “We are confident that the facility continues to fulfill its animal care and containment requirements.”
The park gained a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it was shown on a TV program about a celebrity big cat handler.
However, it soon ran into problems. In 2009, a keeper was fatally attacked by a white tiger while performing maintenance.
The facility often experienced economic issues and workforce challenges, and changed ownership on several occasions. In 2014, the regulatory body directed the establishment to cease operations until the facilities were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.
Maya Chen is a seasoned tech journalist and software developer with over a decade of experience in digital innovation and cybersecurity.
