Struggling New Zealand Wildlife Park Puts Down Two Lions, Future of Five More Uncertain

A financially troubled wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the other five lions still undecided, following financial difficulties.

The private wildlife park in the northern city of Whangārei ceased operations over the past weekend.

In a online update, the facility indicated that its proprietor had put the property up for sale in August, and the seven lions, aged between 18 and 21 years old, would be put down “following a challenging decision made by the landowner.”

“All possibilities were exhausted. The team and I are devastated,” stated the sanctuary’s operator.

“Even though it may potentially continue as a lion park under different management, such a scenario would require not only the purchase of the property but considerable monetary input,” the director explained.

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

“We recently farewelled Imvula and Sibili, both of whom had serious health conditions that were untreatable and were declining. These actions were made with deep care and thoughtfulness,” the operator said.

However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the other five lions, which the facility had previously indicated would be euthanised.

“A few individuals have expressed interest in purchasing the establishment and continuing to care for the lions. Although the deadline is tight and the circumstances remain unresolved, we are doing everything we can to investigate this option and keep hope alive.”

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

The sanctuary’s updates were flooded with responses from concerned citizens, pleading for a reprieve for the surviving lions, while former staff members expressed optimism that the sanctuary would rethink the decision to put them down.

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

“This is deeply distressing,” she commented. “We acknowledge that emotions are high, but we ask for consideration and decency as we navigate this tragic predicament.”

The property owner chose not to respond.

The government department indicated that the choice to euthanise the cats lay with the owners, and that it had been notified of the course of action.

A deputy director stated that putting down had to be carried out humanely, and in compliance with animal protection legislation.

“An compliance official will be present to confirm this is done appropriately,” the official said. “We are assured that the establishment continues to satisfy its wildlife protection and enclosure obligations.”

The park gained a degree of notoriety in the early part of the century when it featured on a broadcast series about a famous animal trainer.

However, it rapidly ran into problems. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a big cat while performing maintenance.

The facility repeatedly ran into monetary difficulties and staffing problems, and had multiple owners repeatedly. In 2014, the government agency directed the facility to cease operations until the enclosures were improved. It resumed operations in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.