Rescue Bid Pauses Euthanasia of 5 Elderly Lions at New Zealand Sanctuary

HUHA says the owners have agreed to delay euthanizing the five remaining lions while it pursues a purchase of the 32-hectare site, with leads needed by Saturday. Two senior lions, Imvula and Sibili, were euthanized earlier this week due to untreatable, deteriorating health conditions. The surviving lions — Shikira, Cleo, Abdullah, Timba and Themba, aged about 18 to 21 — are being cared for as relocation is deemed not viable or humane given their age and needs. Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary is closed and for sale, and a successful sale could allow the cats to remain on-site as a retirement-only facility without reopening to the public. The park has sought livestock donations to offset feeding costs, while owner Bolton Equities says it has invested roughly NZ$10–12 million and estimates the lions may have only 6–12 months left.