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Financially Stricken NZ Animal Sanctuary Puts Down Pair of Lions, Fate of Remaining Five Unclear
A beleaguered wildlife park in New Zealand has stated it was forced to put down two of its elderly lions, with the fate of the remaining five lions still undecided, following economic struggles.
The privately owned wildlife reserve in the northern town of Whangārei shut down over the weekend.
In a online announcement, the establishment clarified that its proprietor had listed the land up for sale in August, and the seven lions, ranging from 18 and 21 years old, would be euthanised “after a difficult decision made by the property owner.”
“No viable alternatives remained. The employees and I are deeply saddened,” commented the facility’s manager.
“Although it might potentially continue as a wildlife attraction under new ownership, such a future would require not only the purchase of the property but significant capital investment,” the director explained.
In a subsequent update, the sanctuary announced that two of its lions had been euthanised.
“We recently farewelled two of our lions, both of whom had grave illnesses that were untreatable and were declining. These decisions were made with deep care and consideration,” the director stated.
However, there was a “glimmer of hope” for the remaining five lions, which the sanctuary had earlier indicated would be humanely killed.
“A few individuals have expressed interest in acquiring the facility and continuing to care for the lions. Even though the timeframe is tight and the conditions remain uncertain, we are doing all we can to investigate this possibility and keep hope alive.”
Relocating the lions to a different location was not a “viable or ethical option” due to their age, the group size involved, and their specialized requirements.
The facility’s posts were overwhelmed by comments from concerned citizens, requesting a stay of execution for the remaining lions, while former staff members expressed hope that the park would reconsider the plan to euthanise them.
The director mentioned that among the sympathetic words and expressions of sympathy, she had also encountered threatening and offensive remarks.
“This is extremely upsetting,” she remarked. “We acknowledge that passions are strong, but we request kindness and respect as we manage this devastating predicament.”
The landowner refused to comment.
The government department clarified that the determination to euthanise the big cats was the responsibility of the owners, and that it had been informed of the plan.
A senior official stated that putting down had to be conducted compassionately, and in compliance with animal welfare law.
“An regulatory officer will be on location to ensure this is done correctly,” the representative stated. “We are assured that the operation continues to meet its wildlife protection and containment responsibilities.”
The sanctuary attained some recognition in the early 2000s when it featured on a TV program about a famous animal trainer.
However, it soon faced challenges. In 2009, a staff member was mauled to death by a big cat while performing maintenance.
The sanctuary repeatedly ran into monetary difficulties and workforce challenges, and had multiple owners multiple times. In 2014, the government agency directed the establishment to cease operations until the habitats were upgraded. It restarted in 2021 but went into liquidation in 2023.
John Robertson
Professional poker player and coach with over a decade of experience, specializing in tournament strategy and mental game techniques.
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