𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A New Zealand wildlife sanctuary says it has euthanized two of its seven elderly lions after closing for financial reasons, with five more at risk of the same fate.

The privately owned sanctuary, located in Whangārei, the northernmost city in the island nation, officially closed to the public last weekend. In a statement earlier this week, it said the seven lions who lived there, ranging in age from 18 to 21, would be euthanized “following a difficult decision made by the property owners, Bolton Equities.”

“There were no real options left. The staff and I are devastated,” Janette Vallance, director of the sanctuary, was quoted as saying.

The property is for sale and could potentially continue to serve as a home for the lions, but that would require “significant capital investment,” the statement said.

On Thursday, the sanctuary said it had euthanized Imvula and Sibili, two lions with “serious health conditions that were not treatable and were deteriorating,” adding that the decision was made “with deep care and consideration.”

Vallance said the sanctuary had “thoroughly investigated options” for the remaining lions — Shikira, Cleo, Abdullah, Timba and Thembah — and that their wellbeing was the priority.

Relocation is not a “viable or humane option,” she said, because of their age, number and complex needs.

There is, however, a “glimmer of hope” for the remaining lions, Vallance said.

“A few individuals have expressed interest in purchasing the facility and continuing to care for the lions,” she said. “While the timeframe is short and the situation remains uncertain, we are doing everything we can to explore this possibility and keep hope alive.”

Vallance said she had received threatening and abusive messages that were “deeply distressing.”

“We understand that emotions are high, but we ask for kindness and respect as we navigate this heartbreaking situation,” she said.

Lions in captivity can live into their late teens or early 20s. In the wild, a female lion can live up to 16 years, while a male lion rarely lives past the age of 12.

Bolton Equities, an Auckland-based private equity investment company, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Vallance said the company had spent millions of dollars on the sanctuary with no return.

The sanctuary says on its website that the lions “come at enormous cost to maintain.”

“Feed, supplements, experienced staff, compound and grounds maintenance, vets, and more all exert pressure on our purse,” it says.