Overview
- The Whangārei facility has closed and is listed for sale after sustained financial losses tied to the high cost of caring for big cats.
- Two elderly lions, Imvula and Sibili, were euthanized due to untreatable health conditions, according to the sanctuary.
- Five remaining lions aged roughly 18 to 21 face an unresolved outcome after initial plans to euthanize them this week drew new offers to buy the park.
- Sanctuary leaders say rehoming the elderly lions is not a viable or humane option given their age, number and complex care needs.
- To cover immediate feed shortfalls, the park requested donations of unwanted cows or horses for humane slaughter, noting the lions consume about three cows’ worth of meat each week.