A wildlife park in New Zealand has announced it will be forced to euthanise seven elderly lions after encountering severe financial difficulties.
The Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the northern city of Whangarei, said it was closing down and had no alternative but to put the big cats down.
“There were no real options left. The staff and I are devastated,” sanctuary operator Janette Vallance said in a statement on Tuesday.
The lions, aged between 18 and 21 years, had already surpassed the typical lifespan of lions in the wild. Efforts to re-home them at other New Zealand zoos were deemed unrealistic.
“The memories and legacy of these incredible animals will live on in the hearts of many,” the sanctuary added.
The park had gained some public attention in the early 2000s when it featured on a television programme showcasing celebrity big cat handler Craig “the Lion Man” Busch.
Busch was later accused of multiple animal welfare violations, including keeping animals in sub-standard enclosures. The sanctuary also has a tragic history: in 2009, a handler was mauled to death by a white tiger inside the park.
