Overview
- 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.