A beleaguered wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was forced to put down two of its senior lions, with the fate of the other five lions still unclear, following financial difficulties.
The privately owned wildlife sanctuary in the northern town of Whangārei closed its doors over the past weekend.
In a social media announcement, the facility clarified that its owner had listed the land up for sale in August, and the group of seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “following a challenging decision made by the property owner.”
“All possibilities were exhausted. The team and I are deeply saddened,” stated the park’s director.
“Even though it may possibly continue as a wildlife attraction under different management, such a outcome would require not only the purchase of the land but considerable monetary input,” the operator added.
In a subsequent announcement, the facility announced that two of its lions had been euthanised.
“We had to part with two of our lions, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were deteriorating. These actions were made with deep care and consideration,” the manager said.
However, there was a “flicker of optimism” for the remaining five lions, which the sanctuary had earlier indicated would be euthanised.
“A several interested parties have expressed interest in purchasing the facility and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the deadline is limited and the conditions remain unclear, we are doing our utmost to pursue this option and hold onto hope.”
Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or humane alternative” due to their elderly status, the quantity of animals involved, and their complex needs.
The park’s announcements were filled with responses from members of the public, begging for a second chance for the remaining lions, while ex-employees expressed optimism that the park would reconsider the course of action to put them down.
The manager noted that alongside the sympathetic words and messages of sorrow, she had also been subjected to menacing and insulting remarks.
“This is profoundly disturbing,” she said. “We recognize that emotions are high, but we appeal for consideration and courtesy as we manage this devastating situation.”
The property owner refused to comment.
The regulatory body clarified that the determination to put down the lions was the responsibility of the landowners, and that it had been informed of the intention.
A deputy director commented that putting down had to be performed humanely, and in compliance with animal protection legislation.
“An animal welfare inspector will be present to confirm this is done properly,” the spokesperson noted. “We are assured that the establishment continues to meet its animal welfare and security obligations.”
The park achieved a degree of notoriety in the early 2000s when it was shown on a television show about a famous animal trainer.
However, it quickly faced challenges. In 2009, a handler was mauled to death by a white tiger while carrying out duties.
The park frequently experienced financial trouble and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency directed the park to cease operations until the facilities were upgraded. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.
Marlon Vance is a seasoned sports analyst with over a decade of experience in betting markets, specializing in data-driven predictions and strategy development.
