Struggling NZ Animal Sanctuary Puts Down Two Lions, Fate of Remaining Five Uncertain

A struggling wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand has revealed it was obliged to humanely kill two of its elderly lions, with the outcome of the remaining five lions still uncertain, following financial difficulties.

The privately owned wildlife reserve in the northern city of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.

In a online post, the establishment explained 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 put down “following a difficult decision made by the landowner.”

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

“Even though it may potentially continue as a big cat facility under different management, such a scenario would require not only the acquisition of the property but substantial capital investment,” the director noted.

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

“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were not treatable and were deteriorating. These decisions were made with utmost compassion and thoughtfulness,” the manager said.

However, there was a “ray of hope” for the other five lions, which the sanctuary had previously indicated would be humanely killed.

“A several interested parties have expressed interest in purchasing the establishment and providing for the lions. Even though the deadline is limited and the circumstances remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to investigate this possibility and hold onto hope.”

Relocating the lions to an alternate site was not a “viable or ethical choice” due to their age, the group size involved, and their complex needs.

The facility’s posts were flooded with messages from the community, begging for a reprieve for the other big cats, while former staff members expressed desire that the sanctuary would review the decision to end their lives.

The director mentioned that alongside the supportive comments and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered threatening and insulting comments.

“This is deeply distressing,” she said. “We recognize that emotions are high, but we request consideration and decency as we handle this heartbreaking predicament.”

The property owner refused to comment.

The regulatory body indicated that the determination to humanely kill the lions rested with the owners, and that it had been informed of the course of action.

A deputy director commented that humane killing had to be performed humanely, and in accordance with animal welfare law.

“An compliance official will be onsite to ensure this is done properly,” the official noted. “We are confident that the operation continues to meet its animal care and containment requirements.”

The park achieved some recognition in the early part of the century when it appeared on a TV program about a well-known lion tamer.

However, it quickly ran into problems. In 2009, a handler was killed by a white tiger while cleaning its enclosure.

The facility frequently experienced economic issues and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the ministry of primary industries instructed the park to close until the facilities were modernized. It reopened in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.