Troubled New Zealand wildlife park euthanises two lions
A wildlife park in New Zealand was forced to euthanize two lions after the park was closed due to ongoing financial difficulties.
The privately owned Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the city of Whangārei on New Zealand’s north island, has been up for sale since August.
The shelter said they were left with no choice as the aging big cats “have serious health problems that cannot be treated and are worsening.”
The fate of the five remaining lions at the facility remains unclear, but park operator Janette Vallance said in a statement shared on Facebook that they were investigating “every possibility.”
In a Facebook post earlier this week, Ms Vallance said the owners, Bolton Equities, initially made the “difficult decision” to euthanize all seven big cats at the sanctuary following the last trading weekend.
The statement noted that all of the animals were between 18 and 21 years old and that “there was no real option left.”
“During [the property] “Such a future would require not only the purchase of the land but also significant capital investment if it were to potentially continue as a lion park under new ownership,” he wrote.
After the first two lions were euthanized, Ms Vallance issued a second statement, acknowledging the serious outcry from the public begging for the remaining five lions to be moved elsewhere.
He wrote that the park was “extensively exploring options” for the remaining lions, but said relocation was “not a feasible or humane option” due to the animals’ age and “complex needs.”
Ms Vallance added that there was a “glimmer of hope” following their initial post.
“Several people have expressed interest in purchasing the facility and continuing to care for the lions. While the time frame is short and the situation remains uncertain, we are doing everything we can to explore this possibility and keep hope alive,” he said.
New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) told the Guardian that the decision to euthanize the cats was up to the owners and that they had been informed of the plan.
The wildlife sanctuary has been plagued by both financial difficulties and controversy over the past two decades.
The zoo initially gained profile as the setting for a reality television show starring its founder, Craig Busch, known as “The Lion Man.”
In 2009, the park made international headlines after a rare white tiger mauled a zookeeper to death in front of horrified tourists.
Zion Wildlife Gardens, as it was then known, pleaded guilty to health and safety charges relating to the death of the ranger and was forced to pay NZ$60,000 (£26,000) compensation to his family.
Current owner Bolton Equities took ownership of the sanctuary in 2014, shortly after the park was closed to the public by MPI for failing to meet animal enclosure requirements.
It remained closed for seven years and finally reopened in 2021.
However, it was put into involuntary liquidation just two years later in 2023.
