Troubled NZ Animal Sanctuary Puts Down Two Lions, Future of Remaining Five Uncertain

A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has stated it was obliged to humanely kill two of its older lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following monetary problems.

The privately owned wildlife park in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the past weekend.

In a social media announcement, the establishment clarified 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 “after a tough decision made by the property owner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The employees and I are devastated,” commented the park’s director.

“While it could potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under fresh proprietors, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the property but substantial financial backing,” the director noted.

In a recent update, the facility announced that two of its lions had been put down.

“Yesterday we said goodbye Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were incurable and were deteriorating. These choices were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the director remarked.

However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the other five lions, which the sanctuary had earlier indicated would be put down.

“A few individuals have shown interest in buying the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. Although the deadline is limited and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing everything we can to investigate this opportunity and keep hope alive.”

Relocating the lions to another facility was not a “feasible or compassionate choice” due to their age, the group size involved, and their demanding care.

The facility’s posts were filled with messages from the community, begging for a second chance for the remaining lions, while ex-employees expressed desire that the sanctuary would review the plan to euthanise them.

The director noted that among the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered threatening and insulting messages.

“This is extremely upsetting,” she said. “We recognize that passions are strong, but we ask for compassion and decency as we manage this tragic predicament.”

The landowner declined to comment.

The government department clarified that the decision to put down the cats lay with the owners, and that it had been advised of the plan.

A senior official explained that putting down had to be conducted compassionately, and in accordance with wildlife regulations.

“An compliance official will be onsite to confirm this is done properly,” the representative noted. “We are confident that the operation continues to satisfy its animal welfare and enclosure responsibilities.”

The sanctuary gained some recognition in the early 2000s when it appeared on a TV program about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it rapidly faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was killed by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility repeatedly experienced economic issues and workforce challenges, and switched proprietors repeatedly. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries instructed the park to cease operations until the facilities were improved. It restarted in 2021 but faced insolvency in 2023.